Vancouver rental business licence requirements

This page explains City of Vancouver business-licence requirements for residential rentals. It does not replace official guidance from the City and is not legal advice, but it can help you understand what to expect.

Long-term rental business licence (90+ days)

Who needs a licence?

Anyone renting a residential property they own for 90 days or more at a time needs a long-term rental business licence, even if you hire a property manager.

Exception: If you're a residential property owner with up to 2 tenants living with you in your principal residence, you don't need a business licence (e.g., exchange students).

Required documents

• Government-issued photo ID (owner): Copy of current government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, provincial/territorial ID)
• Representative authorization (if applicable): Business owner's photo ID + representative's photo ID + letter of authorization
• Incorporation documents (if applicable): BC Corporate Registry incorporation certificate (provincial or extra-provincial) + Notice of Articles (directors list)
• Floor plan (conditional): If the building was built before 1956, the City may require an inspection to confirm unit count and you may need to provide a floor plan

Fees

• Application fee: $77 one-time, non-refundable application fee
• Annual licence fee: $98 annually per dwelling unit (also listed: $71 per housekeeping unit; $47 per sleeping unit)

Short-term rental business licence (<90 days)

Who needs a licence?

Renting your home for less than 90 consecutive days requires a short-term rental business licence. The unit must be your principal residence, and you need one licence per person.

Required documents

• Government-issued ID (operator): Required
• Landlord approval letter (if tenant): Written approval from landlord if you're a tenant operating a short-term rental
• Strata approval (if strata): Written strata corporation authorization if the property is in a strata building
• Proof of principal residence (may be requested): Documentation demonstrating principal residence (billing/ID/tax/insurance-related documentation)
• Safety compliance records (may be requested): Inspection/testing records for smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, etc.

Fees

• Application fee: $77 non-refundable
• Annual licence fee: $1,108 annual (non-refundable; first year may be prorated)
• Late fee: Penalty applies for late renewals

Safety requirements

Short-term rentals must meet specific safety standards:

• Interconnected smoke alarms
• CO detectors if gas appliances are present
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire plan posting
• Potentially a fire alarm system depending on building characteristics
• Keep annual inspection/test records

Additional requirements

Provincial STR registry

After receiving the City licence, short-term rental hosts must also register with the Province of BC and pay a separate provincial fee. Failure to register may lead to listings being removed and bookings cancelled by platforms.

Display requirements

• Single unit: Display licence in the unit
• Multi-unit: Post in an accessible common area

Renewal deadlines

• Short-term rentals: Renew annually by December 31
• General City business licences: Valid until December 31, renewed yearly

Compliance penalties

Operating without a licence can result in fines or prosecution. Non-compliance may result in fines (example: up to $1,000 for each offence in the approvals section).

How we fit into this process

Our role is to make this easier for owners by:

• Determining whether you need a long-term or short-term rental business licence
• Collecting and organizing all required documents in the format the City expects
• Guiding you through the online application process
• Ensuring compliance with display and renewal requirements
• Tracking deadlines and sending reminders for renewals