Short-Term Rental Licences
**Short-Term Rental Applications for the 2024 operating year have now closed. Any applications received after July 31st will be for the 2025 operating year**
A short-term rental (STR) is the rental of a residential property on a daily or weekly basis. These rentals can be booked by a third party such as Airbnb and VRBO or booked privately.
All STRs in the District of Sechelt must acquire a business licence to operate. For safety reasons STRs are only permitted in legal habitable dwelling units. Licence applications are accepted up until July 31st for the calendar year.
New regulations are in place for operating short-term rentals (STRs) in the District of Sechelt. New Provincial regulations will come into effect in 2024. Please read this page carefully.
Note change for 2024: Un-hosted secondary residence STRs will no longer be permitted to operate.
The Province of BC has announced incoming legislation requiring all short-term rentals to have a principle resident operator. The Province is also removing the non-conforming use provisions for short term rentals. This means that current Type 3 STRs with an approved Temporary Use Permit (TUP) or a Non-Conforming Use approval will no longer be permitted.
Find out more about the provincial regulations here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals
Types of STR
- Type 1 PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE - rental of up to three bedrooms within a principal residence where the operator lives and is present during guest stays.
- Type 2 SELF-CONTAINED SUITE ON PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE PROPERTY - rental of up to two self-contained suites on a principal residence property where the operator lives and is present during guest stays.
New Applications |
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The deadline for applications to operate within the current year must be received no later than July 31st in order to receive a business licence for the current year. How to Apply for a Licence
For a look back through the engagement process and recommendations received, please visit our engagement site - yoursaysechelt.ca. |
Renewals |
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Any unpaid licence fees or fines must be paid, in addition to the upcoming years' licence fee, before we will issue a renewed licence. Payment is due no later than January 31. After January 31, renewals will no longer be accepted, and a new application is required if you wish to continue operating your STR. Any unpaid licence fees or fines will be sent to the District's collections agency.
Before your STR licence can be renewed, a questionnaire must be completed to update our records. This form can be completed and submitted here: https://forms.sechelt.ca/Planning-and-Development-Division/Planning-Department/Short-Term-Rental-Renewal-Questionnaire
Please note: A change in STR operating type (ex. licenced as a type 1 but switch to a a Type 2) requires a new STR application. |
STR Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
Staff continue to investigate and respond to bylaw complaints related to STRs. If an STR in your area is operating without a Business Licence, or you believe an STR in your area is violating another bylaw, please email our bylaw department within working hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). To report an issue outside of operating hours, please call the RCMP non-emergency line at 604-885-2266.
Click the type if STR below for specific information and application
Room in a principal residence where the owner lives and is present during stays.
Self-contained suite (up to two) on a property where the owner lives and is present.
Current STR Business Licences
Updated: October, 2024