The B.C. government announced earlier this week it is launching a new short-term rental (STR) registry.

Anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C. 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.

“We are taking action to help more people find a home in the communities they love by reining in speculators who are operating illegally,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “The launch of the registry is the next step to provide more long-term homes for people, giving hosts who are playing by the rules the ability to continue to legally operate and welcome guests while further cracking down on speculators who are breaking the rules.”

Hosts will receive a provincial registration number that must be displayed on all online listings in B.C., 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, explained the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

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.

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

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

Reining in the number of illegal short-term rentals in B.C. is one of the steps the province is taking to create more homes for people faster, the ministry stated.

Preliminary ministry data shows a 10% decline in the number of entire homes being listed on short-term rental platforms in areas with a principal-residence requirement since March 2024, opening up additional housing options for people in the province.

Launching the provincial registry is a step that gives the province another tool to help enforce rules and to ensure mini-hotel operators and people with multiple, illegal listings are no longer allowed to operate, the ministry said.

Tourism Industry Association of BC CEO Walt Judas is pleased to see the province take this step.

“We’re pleased to see the launch of the new short-term registry, which is something we advocated for and supported as part of the regulations,” he said. “The suite of STR tools introduced by the province to ensure there are enough homes for people who live and work in B.C., as well as plenty of accommodations for those who visit communities in every region, strikes the right balance.”

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

Article Share