Vancouver has a two-tier short-term rental licensing requirement — both a City of Vancouver Business Licence and a Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration from the Province of BC are required. Like Toronto, Vancouver restricts STRs to principal residences only. The combined annual cost is approximately CAD $1,185 ($1,108 city + $77 provincial), renewals must be completed by December 31 each year, and a CAD $111 late penalty applies for renewals submitted after the deadline.
📋 Vancouver STR Permit — 2026 At a Glance
| Permit Name | City of Vancouver STR Business Licence + BC Provincial STR Registration |
| Application Fee | CAD $1,108 (city) + CAD $77 (provincial) |
| Annual Renewal | By December 31 annually (CAD $111 late penalty) |
| Processing Time | 2–4 weeks |
| Primary Residence Only? | Yes |
| Licensing Difficulty | Hard |
Do You Need a License to Short-Term Rent in Vancouver?
Vancouver requires STR operators to obtain both a City of Vancouver Short-Term Rental Business Licence (CAD $1,108/year) and a BC Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration (CAD $77/year). Both require the property to be the operator’s principal residence. The city licence must be renewed by December 31 each year — a CAD $111 late penalty applies for renewals submitted after the deadline. The provincial registration was introduced by the BC Short-Term Rentals Accommodations Act, effective May 2024, and is province-wide. Both licence numbers must appear on all listing platforms.
How to Get a Vancouver Short-Term Rental Permit: Step by Step
- Confirm the property is your principal residence.
- Apply for the BC Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration through the BC Short-Term Rental Registry at gov.bc.ca/STR. Pay CAD $77. You will receive a provincial registration number.
- Apply for the City of Vancouver Short-Term Rental Business Licence through the City’s Licence Office at vancouver.ca/business-licence. Reference your provincial registration number. Pay CAD $1,108.
- Complete a fire safety self-certification as part of the city licence application.
- Display both the city licence number AND provincial registration number on all listing platforms.
- Renew both annually before December 31 to avoid the CAD $111 city late penalty.
Vancouver Short-Term Rental Fees (2026)
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Business Licence | CAD $1,108 | Annual (by Dec 31) |
| BC Provincial Registration | CAD $77 | Annual |
| Combined annual cost | CAD $1,185 | Annual |
| Late renewal penalty (city) | CAD $111 | If renewed after Dec 31 |
CAD $1,185 is approximately USD $875 at current exchange rates. This is one of the highest annual STR licensing costs in Canada.
Key Rules & Restrictions for Vancouver Hosts
- Principal residence only — investment properties, secondary suites in separate structures, and vacation homes are not eligible.
- Both a city licence AND a provincial registration are required.
- Both licence numbers must appear on all listing platforms.
- Platforms must delist properties without valid licence numbers under both city and provincial rules.
- Maximum 365 rental nights per year (as a principal residence).
- Noise and nuisance bylaw compliance required.
- Renew by December 31 each year — late penalty of CAD $111 applies.
Taxes Short-Term Rental Hosts Owe in Vancouver
City of Vancouver empty homes tax does not apply to principal residences used as STRs. BC provincial short-term rental accommodation levy: 3% (effective October 2024). Vancouver hotel tax: 2%. Canadian federal GST: 5% if annual revenue exceeds CAD $30,000. Total: up to 10% depending on revenue thresholds. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit provincial and city taxes automatically for Vancouver hosts.
Penalties for Operating Without a Permit in Vancouver
Operating without a city licence: CAD $1,000/day. Operating without a provincial registration: CAD $5,000/day (provincial enforcement). Listing on a platform without valid licence numbers: mandatory delisting. Renting a non-principal residence: licence revocation and ongoing fines.
How HostStarter Handles Vancouver STR Compliance
Keeping pace with Vancouver’s permit requirements — renewals, inspections, tax remittance, and ordinance updates — is a significant ongoing commitment. HostStarter’s full-service property management includes complete compliance handling: we track deadlines, coordinate inspections, ensure your listing always displays a valid permit number, and alert you to regulatory changes before they impact your revenue.
Get a free Vancouver revenue estimate from HostStarter →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Vancouver?
Yes. Vancouver requires both a City Business Licence (CAD $1,108/year) and a BC Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration (CAD $77/year). Both must be displayed on all listings, and both require the property to be your principal residence.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Vancouver?
The city Business Licence is CAD $1,108/year and the BC Provincial Registration is CAD $77/year — totaling CAD $1,185/year (approximately USD $875). A CAD $111 late penalty applies if city renewal is submitted after December 31.
How long does it take to get an STR license in Vancouver?
Applications are typically processed in 2–4 weeks. Apply well before your intended listing date to allow for both the provincial and city processes.
What taxes do Airbnb hosts owe in Vancouver?
Vancouver hosts owe the BC provincial accommodation levy (3%) and the Vancouver hotel tax (2%). Canadian federal GST (5%) applies if annual revenue exceeds CAD $30,000. Major platforms collect and remit provincial and city taxes automatically.
What are the penalties for operating an unlicensed Airbnb in Vancouver?
Operating without a city licence: CAD $1,000/day. Operating without a provincial registration: CAD $5,000/day under provincial enforcement. Renting a non-principal residence triggers licence revocation and ongoing daily fines.