Short-Term Rental Regulations

Short-term Rentals in the CVRD

In order to operate a short-term rental (STR) or Bed & Breakfast on your property, it must be permitted by zoning. In CVRD Electoral Areas, STRs are permitted in a few zones including:

• CD-5 Zone in Mill Bay (Sandy Beach Cottages)
• W-8 Zone in Cowichan Bay Village (Cowichan Bay stilt homes)
• CD-2 Zone in Cowichan Lake/Skutz Falls (Pebbles West)
• LR-11 Zone in Youbou/Meade Creek (Cottages at Marble Bay)

While short-term rentals are not permitted in most zones across the electoral areas, traditional style Bed and Breakfasts are permitted in many residential zones subject to the owner or long-term tenant/operator residing within the dwelling and serving breakfast to guests.

To confirm whether or not you are allowed to have a STR or Bed & Breakfast on your property, please contact CVRD Development Services at ds@cvrd.bc.ca.

Potential Changes to CVRD Regulations

The CVRD recognizes the importance of balancing the need to create more long-term homes for residents, including people who work in the tourism and hospitality industry, with the need to accommodate visitors, particularly in smaller communities and those communities that are heavily reliant on tourism.

In response to direction from the CVRD Board, a multi-pronged initiative is underway to:

• Revise Zoning Bylaws to ensure Short-term rental terminology and regulations are consistent with Provincial regulations.
• Introduce Temporary Use Permits as an option to legally operate an STR where not otherwise permitted by zoning.
• Establish Business Licensing for short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts.

CVRD planners will engage with Advisory Planning Commissions (APCs) this spring on the topic of Short-term rentals and Temporary Use Permits, and will then report back to the Electoral Area Services Committee to confirm next steps.

Comments from the public are welcome and may be submitted to ds@cvrd.bc.ca.

BC’s Short-term Rental Legislation

Introduced as part of the Provincial government’s Homes for Action plan, Bill 35 – the Short-term Rental Accommodations Act – came into force in December 2023. The intent is to:

• Return STR units to the long-term housing market;
• Give local governments stronger tools to enforce short-term rental bylaws; and
• Establish a new Provincial role in the regulation of short-term rentals.

The Act applies to all STRs, including Bed & Breakfasts.

The Act also includes a principal residence requirement which applies to communities of 10,000 or more and some smaller, adjacent communities, and other communities who have “opted-in”. This includes CVRD electoral areas A, C, E, F, G and H. Farm Class properties in the ALR are not subject to the principle residence requirement. Where the principal residence requirement is in effect, the property “host” (owner, family member or long-term tenant) must reside onsite.

STR hosts are required to register with the Province and provide their business license number (if required by local government). Furthermore, short-term rental platforms (e.g. Air BnB; VRBO) must remove listings that have not registered with the Province.

For further information, visit the Province of BC website.