Vancouver rental business licence inspection
Inspection requirements for long-term and short-term rental business licences in the City of Vancouver.
Long-term rental business licence inspections
Pre-1956 buildings
If your building was constructed before 1956, the City may require an inspection to confirm the number of dwelling units. You may also need to provide a floor plan as part of this process.
This inspection helps the City verify the unit count for licensing purposes and ensures accurate fee calculation.
Short-term rental business licence inspections
Safety compliance inspections
The City may request access for inspection to confirm safety compliance for short-term rentals. You must maintain annual inspection/test records for safety equipment.
Required safety items
Short-term rentals must meet specific safety standards:
Smoke Alarms
Interconnected smoke alarms in required locations
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
CO detectors if gas appliances are present
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers accessible and properly maintained
Fire Plan
Fire plan posted in a visible location
Fire Alarm System
Potentially required depending on building characteristics
Inspection Records
Annual inspection/test records must be kept and may be requested by the City
Inspection timing
For short-term rentals, the City notes it may contact you within 5 business days to verify information and may request inspection access or records. Inspections can occur at any time to ensure ongoing compliance.
How we help
Our role is to make inspections easier by:
- Determining if your building requires a pre-1956 inspection for long-term rentals
- Helping you prepare floor plans if required
- Ensuring short-term rentals meet all safety requirements before inspection
- Organizing and maintaining inspection/test records
- Coordinating with the City if inspection access is requested
Ready to get started?
We'll help you prepare for City of Vancouver inspections and ensure compliance with all requirements.
Get StartedThis page is for general information only and is not legal advice or official guidance from the City of Vancouver.