Short-Term Rentals

STR Strata Corporation Neighbour Consent FormTo be eligible for a Business Licence, you must meet the following conditions: 

• Comply with the Provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act.
• Comply with the City’s Zoning Bylaw 1995, No. 6700. The City will review each application and determine compliance with the Zoning Bylaw.
• The STR must be operated solely in your principal residence. This may include your own residence (such as a bedroom), plus if applicable, one additional rental unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property. This means that you are permitted to operate no more than two STRs on the same property. 
• Your residence complies with the City’s building and life safety requirements.
• If you are a tenant, you have the written authorization from the property owner to operate an STR. Download the STR Property Owner Authoriation Form (PDF).
• If your residence is part of a Strata Corporation, you have the written authorization of the Strata Corporation to operate an STR. Download the STR  Strata Corportation Authorization Form (PDF).
• If your residence is part of a stratified two-unit residence, also known as a duplex, you must have written authorization of the owner of the neighbouring property to operate an STR. Download the STR Strata Corporation Neighbour Consent Form (PDF). 
• Commit to maintain and provide to the City upon request a list of the dates, duration, and number of patrons accommodated in your STR. Download the STR Operation Records Template (PDF).
  
  

The City licences three types of STRs:

1. Short-Term Boarding: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms without any cooking facilities.
• Annual Business Licence fee: $250 
2. Short-Term Residential Rental: Rental of an entire self-contained residence (includes a toilet, bathroom, sleeping and living area, and a cooking facility).
   • Annual Business Licence fee: $550 
3. Bed and Breakfast: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms with breakfast provided.
   • Annual Business Licence fee: $19 / room

Business Licence application forms and information are available online, and at City Hall.

The following outlines the key steps to obtain a Short-Term Rental (STR) Business Licence:

1. The applicant completes the STR Business Licence application form relevant to the type of STR:

• Short-Term Boarding: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms without any cooking facilities. Download the Short-Term Boarding Business Licence Application Form.
• Short-Term Residential Rental: Rental of an entire self-contained residence (includes a toilet, bathroom, sleeping and living area, and a cooking facility. Download the Short-Term Residential Rental Business Licence Application Form.
• Bed and Breakfast: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms with breakfast provided. Download the Bed and Breakfast Business Licence Application Form.

2. Submit your application form via email to licence@cnv.org, or a printed application form can also be submitted in person at City Hall.

3. The City reviews the application form to confirm that it is full and complete.

4. The applicant pays a $50 non-refundable application fee. Payment can be made on CityServe. Visit cnv.org/BusinessLicences for more information.

5. The City reviews the application to ensure compliance with:

• Principal residence requirement;
• Property use approvals, if applicable;
• Zoning requirements for the property;
• Building and life safety requirements; and
• Bylaws, regulations, and policies of the City.

6. The City issues an invoice for the Business Licence fee if the applicant meets all requirements.

7. The applicant pays the annual fee for a Business Licence:

• Accessory Boarding – Short -Term: $250
• Residential Rental – Short-Term: $550
• Accessory Bed & Breakfast – $19 / room

8. The City issues a Business Licence to the applicant.

Within 90 days of the Licence being issued, the City will contact the STR operator to carry out on-site Business Licence inspections. Applicants will be notified if their application is not approved. Questions about the Business Licence process? Call 604-983-7356 or email licence@cnv.org.

If your question is not answered below, please download the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) or contact City staff at licence@cnv.org or 604-982-9675.

Where can I operate an STR?

An STR can only be operated in your own residence, plus in one additional rental unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property.

Can I operate an STR outside of my principal residence?

No. In accordance with Provincial regulations, operating an STR outside of your principal residence is prohibited.

Can I live in an accessory unit, and operate an STR in another unit located on the same property?

Yes. In accordance with Provincial regulations, this is permitted. As an example, you may live in your secondary suite, while operating an STR in the main unit on the same property.

Am I permitted to operate an STR in another rental unit on the same property without operating an STR in my own residence?

Yes. In accordance with Provincial regulations, this is permitted.

Can my entire residence be used for STR purposes?

Yes. This is permitted on the basis that you live in your residence for at least 183 days per 12-month licensing period. A “Residential Rental – Short-Term” Business Licence issued by the City is required.

Can an unauthorized secondary suite or coach house be eligible for STR?

STRs cannot be operated in an unauthorized secondary suite or unauthorized coach house. If you have an unauthorized secondary suite or unauthorized coach house,  the Building Permit application process must be followed to legalize a secondary suite or coach house.  

Is there a restriction for the number of guests for an STR?

There are restrictions in place for limiting guest numbers for “Accessory Boarding – Short-Term” use.  This information can be found in Section 507 (9) “Accessory Boarding Use” of the Zoning Bylaw. There are no guest limitations in place for “Residential Rental – Short-Term”. 

Is off-street parking required to operate an STR?

Subject to Zoning regulations, off-street parking is required to operate an “Accessory Boarding – Short-Term”, and an “Accessory Bed & Breakfast” – generally applicable for one-unit residential and two-unit residential. Off-street parking is also required for use of accessory units, such as a secondary suite and/or a coach house.  
This information can be found in Figure 9-3 “Minimum Parking Provision by Class of Building” (Section 908) of the Zoning Bylaw. The City will review each application and determine compliance with the Zoning Bylaw.

I live in a strata unit (e.g., condo, townhouse). Can I operate an STR?

You can operate an STR if you have written authorization from your Strata Corporation. Download the STR  Strata Corportation Authorization Form (PDF).

I am the long-term tenant of a residence. Can I operate an STR?

You can operate an STR if you have written authorization from the property owner. Download the STR Property Owner Authoriation Form (PDF).

I live in a non-market rental housing unit. Can I operate an STR?

No. STRs are prohibited in a non-market rental housing unit.

Can I operate an STR on a residential premises with a child care facility?

No. STRs are prohibited in residential premises with a child care facility.