BC Short-Term Rental Rules and Renovation Implications 2025
BC Short-Term Rental Regulations and Renovation
BC’s Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act (2023) significantly changed the landscape for Airbnb and VRBO hosts across the province. Understanding the new rules is essential before renovating a unit for short-term rental.
BC Short-Term Rental Restrictions (2024 Onwards)
- Short-term rentals (under 30 days) restricted to principal residence + 1 secondary suite OR accessory dwelling in most BC municipalities
- Non-principal residence short-term rentals prohibited in communities over 10,000 population
- All STR operators must obtain provincial STR licence
- Platform operators must share data with province
What This Means for Renovation
- Renovating a detached investment property for Airbnb is now prohibited in most Metro Vancouver cities
- Renovating your principal home’s basement suite or secondary suite for STR may still be permitted
- Purpose-built long-term rentals (30+ days) are unaffected by STR regulations
Investment Property Renovation Strategy
With STR restrictions in place, renovation strategies for investment properties now focus on:
- Creating legal secondary suites for long-term rental (12-month leases)
- Multiplex development for multiple long-term rental units
- Renovating for resale (flip strategy)
→ See also: Vancouver Renovation Planning Guide
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