---
title: Belcarra short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Belcarra?"
place: Belcarra, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/belcarra
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/short-term-rental.json"
---

# Belcarra short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

**Question:** Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Belcarra?

**Short answer:** In Belcarra you can run a short-term rental or bed and breakfast in your principal residence, which you must own, with a Village business licence ($100 a year). Provincial registration also applies to rentals under 90 consecutive days.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** $100 a year for the Village business licence, valid January 1 to December 31; half price if issued after July 31.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 4084 Bedwell Bay Road, Belcarra, BC V3H 4P8 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed statutory holidays).)
- Phone: Village Office, 604-937-4100
- Email: Village Office, belcarra@belcarra.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, as a home-based business with a Village business licence, in the operator's principal residence, which the operator must own. The rental may be the main house or one accessory unit, not both. Belcarra is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.
  - Source: [Policy 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Policy 210, ss. 2.1, 3.1, 4.1](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All STRA and / or B&B Uses shall require a Business Licence issued by the Village." … "must be the principal residence of the business operator" … "but not in both"
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Communities with principal residence requirement](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Communities with principal residence requirement Abbotsford Anmore Belcarra Bowen Island Municipality"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** Yes. A Village business licence is required for every short-term rental or B&B: $100 a year, valid January 1 to December 31 (half price if issued after July 31). Applicants give a title certificate, a principal-residence declaration and proof of $2,000,000 liability insurance.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 3](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and Bed and $100.00 per year"
  - Source: [Policy 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Policy 210, ss. 2.1, 2.3, 2.5](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licences issued after July 31 of a calendar year will be prorated at one half of the fee for the full year." … "business general liability for a limit of not less than two million ($2,000,000) dollars per occurrence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Provincial registration applies to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local licence is needed.
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Business licence exemptions](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, regardless of whether a local business licence is required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Operating rules:** Stays of 2 to 30 nights. All parking on the property. A contact reachable at all hours, whose details go to the Village and to abutting neighbours. The licence number goes in every ad and the licence is posted in the unit. B&B: up to three rooms; owner must be on site if more than one separate booking.
  - Source: [Policy 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, Policy 210, ss. 4.3, 5, 6.4, 7](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The minimum length of stay is 2 nights." … "maximum stay of 30 nights per stay" … "All parking for STRA must be provided on the property" … "must identify a contact who can be reached at any times (including evenings and nights) in the event of emergency" … "The Village of Belcarra Business Licence number must be posted in any advertising or listing of the STRA and / or B&B." … "A home may be rented as a Bed and Breakfast where up to three rooms in the house are rented to separate tenants on a short term basis."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice for no business licence: $100, or $50 if paid within 14 days, or $150 after 28 days. Municipal ticket: $100. Business Licence Bylaw s. 14.5 also allows a fine up to $3,000 per day, per offence, at the CAO's discretion for an STRA or B&B without a valid licence.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule A, Business License Bylaw No. 227](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/09/Bylaw-520-2018-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "License Required $100.00 $50.00 $150.00"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 227, 1995 (PDF, consolidated), s. 14.5](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/06/Bylaw-227-1995-Business-Licence-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "anyone operating a Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) or Bed & Breakfast (B&B) without a valid Business License may be subject to a fine of up to $3,000.00 per day, per offence"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 256, Schedule 4, Business Licence Bylaw No. 227](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2019/05/vob-bylaw-256_municipal_ticketing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 2(a) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Corporate Policy No. 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation; Business Licence Bylaw No. 227, 1995; Zoning Bylaw No. 510, 2018, s. 210
  - Source: [Policy 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, title](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Title: Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 227, 1995 (PDF, consolidated), title](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/06/Bylaw-227-1995-Business-Licence-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw No. 227, 1995"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) are allowed in Belcarra as a home-based business under [Policy 210](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf) and need a Village business licence. The rental must be in the operator's principal residence, which the operator must own. You may rent the main house or one accessory unit, not both. The Province lists Belcarra as a community where its principal residence requirement applies.

## Steps

1. Get a title certificate, complete a principal-residence declaration, and arrange $2,000,000 liability insurance.
2. Apply for the business licence with the [Business License Application form](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/11/Business-License-Application-or-Renewal-Form-2024-fillable.pdf) and pay $100 (half price if issued after July 31).
3. Register with the Province, which applies to rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local licence is needed.
4. Post the licence in the unit and put the licence number in every advertisement.

## Good to know

- Stays must be 2 to 30 nights, with all parking on the property.
- You need a contact reachable at all hours, whose details go to the Village and to neighbours next to you.
- A B&B may rent up to three rooms; the owner must be on site if there is more than one separate booking.
- Without a licence, a bylaw notice is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $150 after 28 days) and a municipal ticket is $100. The [Business Licence Bylaw](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/06/Bylaw-227-1995-Business-Licence-Consolidated.pdf) (s. 14.5) also allows a fine of up to $3,000 per day, per offence, at the Chief Administrative Officer's discretion.
- Village contact: 604-937-4100.

## Official forms and pages

- [Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation Policy No. 210 (PDF)](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf)
- [Business License Application or Renewal Form (PDF)](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/11/Business-License-Application-or-Renewal-Form-2024-fillable.pdf)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)

## Related questions

- [Belcarra business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/business-licence.md)
- [Belcarra home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/home-based-business.md)
- [Belcarra zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/short-term-rental.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/short-term-rental.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/short-term-rental.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/short-term-rental.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Policy 210, Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/05/Policy-210-Short-Term-Rental-Accommodation-and-Bed-Breakfast-Accommodation-Policy.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 227, 1995 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/06/Bylaw-227-1995-Business-Licence-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/09/Bylaw-520-2018-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 256 (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2019/05/vob-bylaw-256_municipal_ticketing.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact Us, Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/contact-us/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/short-term-rental/_