Chapter 1

Vancouver Airbnb Rules: What Hosts Need to Know

Last updated: May 2025

Vancouver has it all: beautiful parks (Queen Elizabeth Park is a hidden gem), oceanside living, and access to some of the best trails, hikes, and mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you want to indulge in great food, catch a Canucks game, or even take a yin class during sunset at Kits Beach, Vancouver is a popular destination for travelers seeking to enjoy life and natural beauty at the same time.

Even so, we often get the question: Is Vancouver a good place to open an Airbnb?

Of course, answering this question comes down to more than simply assessing Vancouver’s appeal to tourists—you also need to consider the laws surrounding vacation rentals. So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about Vancouver Airbnb rules and how they could affect your rental operations.

Don’t see the form to download our vacation rental agreement? Click here.

What’s considered a short-term rental in Vancouver?

Let’s start at the beginning: What constitutes a vacation rental in Vancouver?

Well, Vancouver recently changed their legislation to align with provincial short-term rental legislation. Per the new changes that came into effect in March 2024, a short-term rental in Vancouver is any property, home, or room in a principal residence that is rented for less than 90 consecutive days.

Keep in mind that bed and breakfasts (bnbs), hotels, and motels are considered separate and cannot be operated as tourist accommodations or short-term rentals.

Yes, Airbnb is legal in Vancouver! However, there are some additional steps to ensure you operate legally within city limits. We detail those rules over the next couple of sections, but generally, you should expect to:

  • Rent out only your primary residence
  • Obtain a business licence for the operation of the Airbnb
  • Enroll in the provincial registry for short-term rentals

Requirements to open an Airbnb in Vancouver

Vancouver has had short-term rental regulations since 2018 and last updated them in March 2024. To comply with these regulations and legally operate as a Vancouver vacation rental, you’ll need the following documentation:

  • Proof of ownership of your principal residence
  • Proof of insurance for your principal residence
  • Proof of approval from your strata or landlord, if applicable
  • Proof you meet the safety requirements set out by the city
  • Proof of a valid business licence
  • Valid ID, including but not limited to a B.C. driver’s licence

Rules for Vancouver Airbnbs

Now, for those who would like to know exactly what the Vancouver Airbnb rules are, you’re in luck—we’ve done the digging for you.

In terms of the property, you will need to adhere to the following rules, which dictate that your property must be:

  • Rented for fewer than 90 days
  • A principal residence—this does not include:
    • Secondary units (unless it is the principal residence)
    • Laneway homes (unless it is the principal residence)
    • Second homes
    • Investment properties
  • Licensed to the person who resides at the property
  • Enrolled in the provincial registry for short-term rentals

If you are familiar with the B.C. Airbnb rules, you may have noticed that these are very similar to the provincial rules. You are correct, but for Vancouver specifically, you will need to licence the property with the city along with the rest of the rules that are listed above.

Consequences for violating Vancouver Airbnb rules

With the changes in B.C. legislation, Vancouver was also given additional rules and regulations around consequences for not complying with the set rules. These consequences include municipal fines reaching up to $10,000 or subjecting offenders to legal action for:

  • Listing or advertising a short-term rental without displaying a valid licence
  • Renting out a home that is not your primary residence
  • Operating in an unsafe or nuisance property
  • Operating without a valid licence
  • Operating a commercial short-term rental

In addition, if you are late in renewing your Vancouver short-term rental business licence, you will face a late fee of 10% of the licence or $40, whichever is higher, if received after December 31. (If you choose to shut down your short-term rental, Lodgify suggests contacting the city to close down your business licence account to avoid any potential penalties.)

Of note, the City of Vancouver has issued 2,500 violation tickets and over 1,200 legal orders since starting to enforce its short-term rental regulations.

Vancouver Airbnb tax implications for owners

Vancouver Airbnb owners will need to charge and collect three separate taxes on all rental income from their short-term rentals:

These taxes should be included in the overall cost and charged on all services, including the rental price, cleaning fee, and any service fees on the property.

FAQs about Vancouver Airbnb rules

Is Airbnb illegal in Vancouver, B.C.?

No, Airbnb is not illegal in Vancouver, B.C., but both provincial and municipal authorities regulate short-term rentals in the city.

Is Vancouver cracking down on Airbnb?

This answer will really depend on whom you ask. On the one hand, Vancouver is cracking down on short-term rentals, specifically limiting them to the principal residence only and requiring the owner to have a business licence and register the property.

On the other hand, Vancouver has over 5,000 active licenced vacation rentals listed in 2025, so Airbnb is very much alive and well in the city.

Can I Airbnb my basement in Vancouver?

Yes, depending on your specific setup, you can Airbnb your basement in Vancouver. If your basement is a room in your principal residence, you may list the room. However, if it is a secondary suite and you are not the principal resident, you cannot list it as a short-term rental.

Is Airbnb profitable in Vancouver?

Yes, Airbnb can be quite profitable in Vancouver due to the city’s various high-profile events and tourist attractions. The average annual revenue for Vancouver vacation rentals was $48K in 2023, and listings saw a median occupancy rate of 77%.

What’s more, with concerts such as AC/DC, Linkin Park, Tate McRae, and John Legend in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026, Airbnb will certainly be a profitable venture for the short, medium, and long-term in Vancouver.

Riding the waves of the Vancouver Airbnb market

Whether you want to enter this lucrative market or get the most out of your current listing, the team at Lodgify is here to help you navigate the ever-changing short-term rental market.

Our award-winning software gives you the power to manage your Vancouver-based Airbnb how you have always wanted. With an intuitive website builder, seamless channel manager, and time-saving automation tools, your Vancouver short-term rental will flourish when you partner with Lodgify.

Ready to give us a try? Sign up for a free 7-day trial today!

Don’t see the form to download our vacation rental agreement? Click here.