BC Government News Release: New Short-term Rental Registry, Host Registration Required

Details from this BC Government news release:

The Province is launching a new short-term rental (STR) registry in order to give hosts who are following the rules the ability to continue to legally operate and welcome guests while further cracking down on speculators who are breaking the rules.

Anyone operating a short-term rental in BC and listing on platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo and others, will be required to register with the Province, including hosts operating outside areas with the principal-residence requirement.

Once registered, hosts will receive a provincial registration number that must be displayed on all online listings in BC, effective May 1, 2025. Hosts who do not comply and who do not have a provincial registration number will have their listings taken down as of June 1, 2025.

To register, hosts need to complete an online application available here: https://gov.bc.ca/strregistry  

Hosts that register by February 28, 2025 will receive a 50% discount on fees, or a 25% discount if they register by March 31, 2025. Revenue from the program will support STR enforcement and compliance in communities throughout BC.

Registration fees are:

• $100 per year for an STR in which the host lives, such as a whole home the host rents out while away or a bedroom within it;
• $450 per year if the host does not live in the STR, such as a secondary suite, cottage or laneway home; and
• $600 per year for an entire strata hotel.

The provincial registry requirement is in addition to any requirements and rules set out by local municipalities and governments, including any business licence requirements.

Launching the provincial registry is a step that gives the Province another tool to help enforce rules, reduce the number of illegal short-term rentals in BC, and create more homes for BC residents.

Learn more about the registry: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals

Media Contacts
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Media Relations
(236) 478-0251