As of May 1, new legislation has been enacted to regulation short-term rentals across BC in an effort to increase long-term rental availability. In communities with a population of 10,000 or more, short-term rentals will be restricted to principal residences plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property. Some local governments can opt out of this requirement and there are exemptions for certain communities, types of land and types of accommodation providers.
Go to this interactive map to see which communities have the principal residence restriction.
New tools to enforce these new bylaws include:
1) Display of a valid business license on any listing
2) Short-Term rental platforms must remove non-compliant listings
3) Short-Term rental platforms are required to share information on short-term rentals
4) Increased fines & tickets. Regional districts have a maximum fine of $50,000 and municipalities can fine up to $3,000 per day.
On the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt's population is over 10,000 and falls under the new legislation. Read the full description of the regulations and definitions on the BC Government Website
Each of the Electorial Areas of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are well under this population requirement so will be exempt. However, the SCRD has already implemented bylaws to require that the owner of the property be in residence and that the property be 2000 SM (Half acre) or larger. The short-term rental can be an accessory dwelling or secondary suite,
Gibsons is under the population minimum as well, however it has also previously implemented it's own Short Term rental legislation that allows operators to rent their entire homes out for any three months in a calendar year, when not living in the unit during the guests' stay. There is an application fee and business license that is also required. For full details see The GIbsons RGA Policy Summary There has been some discussion about the possibility that Gibsons may opt-in to the new BC Short Term regulations but this has not been determined yet.
If you are operating a short-term rental on the Sunshine Coast, check with your local authorities for the most up-to-date local bylaw legislation to see what applies to your property.
New tools to enforce these new bylaws include:
1) Display of a valid business license on any listing
2) Short-Term rental platforms must remove non-compliant listings
3) Short-Term rental platforms are required to share information on short-term rentals
4) Increased fines & tickets. Regional districts have a maximum fine of $50,000 and municipalities can fine up to $3,000 per day.
On the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt's population is over 10,000 and falls under the new legislation. Read the full description of the regulations and definitions on the BC Government Website
Each of the Electorial Areas of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are well under this population requirement so will be exempt. However, the SCRD has already implemented bylaws to require that the owner of the property be in residence and that the property be 2000 SM (Half acre) or larger. The short-term rental can be an accessory dwelling or secondary suite,
Gibsons is under the population minimum as well, however it has also previously implemented it's own Short Term rental legislation that allows operators to rent their entire homes out for any three months in a calendar year, when not living in the unit during the guests' stay. There is an application fee and business license that is also required. For full details see The GIbsons RGA Policy Summary There has been some discussion about the possibility that Gibsons may opt-in to the new BC Short Term regulations but this has not been determined yet.
If you are operating a short-term rental on the Sunshine Coast, check with your local authorities for the most up-to-date local bylaw legislation to see what applies to your property.