{"title":"Bowen Island short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Bowen Island?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"housing-and-renting","name":"Housing and renting"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Bowen Island Municipality you can run a short-term rental in your principal residence, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling on the same lot, with a Bowen Island business licence. You must also register with the Province.","aliases":["airbnb bowen island","short term rental bowen island","bed and breakfast bowen island","residential guest accommodation bowen island","vrbo bowen island"],"cost":"Municipal licence: Residential Guest Accommodation $300 a year plus a $200 non-refundable application fee; Bed and Breakfast $150 a year plus a $200 application fee. Provincial registration: $100 a year for your principal residence unit and $450 a year for a separate secondary unit.","how_long":"Not stated. Business licence review generally takes a minimum of three weeks.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business licences","value":"businesslicence@bimbc.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Short-Term Rentals, Bowen Island Municipality","value":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/"},{"type":"online","label":"Provincial registry","value":"gov.bc.ca/strregistry"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Offices (in the Community Centre)","value":"580 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays)"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rentals, Bowen Island Municipality","url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/"},{"title":"Apply for a Business Licence, Bowen Island Municipality","url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/services/licences/apply-for-a-business-licence/"},{"title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Bowen Island business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/business-licence/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Bowen Island home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Bowen Island secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Bowen Island zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/short-term-rental/"}],"topic":{"title":"Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, in residential zones, but only in the host's principal residence, plus not more than one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same lot. Two types: Bed and Breakfast (home occupation, 365 days a year, resident operator) and Residential Guest Accommodation (entire dwelling or suite, up to 120 days a year). Bowen Island is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.","short":"Yes, residential zones, principal residence only","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025)","section":"s. 3.59.4","quotes":["except in one or both of the following:","in the property host’s principal residence; or","in not more than one accessory residential use on the lot which contains the"]},{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/","title":"Short-Term Rentals, Bowen Island Municipality","section":"Types of Short-Term Rentals","quotes":["In residential zones, two types of short-term rentals are permitted on Bowen Island."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"List: Communities with principal residence requirement","quotes":["Communities with principal residence requirement","Bowen Island Municipality"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A Bowen Island business licence is required, and its number must appear in any advertising. Residential Guest Accommodation: $300 per year plus $200 non-refundable application fee. Bed and Breakfast: $150 per year plus $200 application fee. A Principal Residence Declaration is part of the application.","short":"Yes, $300 a year plus $200 application","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/services/licences/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, Bowen Island Municipality","section":"Residential Guest Accommodations","quotes":["Application Fee: $200 (non refundable)","Licence Fee: $300 per year.","Principal Residence Declaration Form"]},{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/services/licences/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, Bowen Island Municipality","section":"Bed and Breakfast","quotes":["Licence Fee: $150 per year."]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/","title":"Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (PDF, consolidated for convenience December 2024)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Non-Profit Organization $0 $0 Non-Resident Business $100 $50 Residential Guest $300 $200 Accommodation Bowen Island Municipality Business Licence Bylaw No. 465, 2018"]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/","title":"Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (PDF, consolidated for convenience December 2024)","section":"s. 16","quotes":["For any advertising of short-term rental accommodation services the Licence number must be","displayed in the advertisement."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. Anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C. must register with the Province, per unit. Fee is $100 a year for the host's own principal residence unit and $450 a year for a separate secondary unit (such as a suite or accessory dwelling).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/","title":"Short-Term Rentals, Bowen Island Municipality","section":"Recent Updates, January 21, 2025","quotes":["Anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C., and listing on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, is required to register with the Province.","$100 for short-term rentals where the host resides","$450 for short-term rentals where the host does not reside"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"Principal residence requirement and registration fees","quotes":["The unit the host lives in is their principal residence. The guests have access to the host's space (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room). Fee: $100 annually This includes:","Any accommodation that is separate from the home where the host lives, sleeps, and eats is considered a secondary unit, even if it is located on the same property or connected by an interior door. Guests stay in their own private space and do not have access to the host's bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. Fee: $450 annually This includes:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Residential Guest Accommodation: no more than 120 days a year, no more than two adults per bedroom, one booking at a time; one on-site parking space per bedroom used; a designated individual available 24 hours a day who responds to complaints within two hours; neighbours notified; business licence number on all advertising; proof of insurance. B&B: up to 4 guest bedrooms on lots under 2 ha, 5 on lots 2 ha or more.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025)","section":"s. 3.59","quotes":["for more than 120 days in total any calendar year;","by more than two adults per bedroom in the residential guest accommodation","for more than one booking at a time."]},{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/residential-guest-accommodations/","title":"Residential Guest Accommodations, Bowen Island Municipality","section":"How is it regulated?","quotes":["At least one on-site parking space per bedroom used for RGA","Designated individual must be available 24-hours a day to respond to complaints within two hours."]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/","title":"Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (PDF, consolidated for convenience December 2024)","section":"s. 28","quotes":["ensure the designated individual is available for contact 24 hours a day during","responds to any nuisance complaint within 2 hours of notification;"]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025)","section":"s. 3.35.8","quotes":["Bed and breakfast use is limited to four (4) guest bedrooms on lots less than 2","ha, and five (5) guest bedrooms on lots 2 ha and greater."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notices (Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule AJ): operating a Residential Guest Accommodation without a licence, $300 first offence ($275 early, $350 late), $475 further offences ($450 early, $500 late). Bed and Breakfast without a licence: $150 first ($125 early, $175 late), $450 further. No display of licence $150; non-compliance with licence terms $150.","short":"Notice $300 first offence, $475 further","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/339717/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule AJ","quotes":["business without a licence - further offences 3. Operating a Residential $300.00 $275.00 $350.00 NO Guest accommodation without a licence - first","- further offences 3. Operating a Residential $300.00 $275.00 $350.00 NO Guest accommodation without a licence - first offence","without a licence - first offence 3 Operating a Residential $475.00 $450.00 $500.00 NO Guest accommodation without a licence -"]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/339717/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule AJ","quotes":["Operating a Bed and","Breakfast without a","$150.00   $125.00   $175.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (s. 3.59, s. 3.35); Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (ss. 16, 25-28, Schedule A); Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008, Schedule AJ.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025)","section":"s. 3.59","quotes":["guidelines set out in Section 7.6 of this Bylaw; RESIDENTIAL GUEST ACCOMMODATION 3.59 Where permitted in a zone, a dwelling unit must not be used as a residential guest","BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY \"BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY LAND USE BYLAW NO. 57, 2002\" CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE - November 2025"]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/","title":"Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (PDF, consolidated for convenience December 2024)","section":"Title","quotes":["Bowen Island Municipality Business Licence Bylaw"]},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/339717/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule AJ","quotes":["Bowen Island Municipality Business Licence Bylaw No. 465, 2018"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nBowen Island Municipality allows short-term rentals in residential zones, but only in the host's principal residence, plus not more than one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same lot. Council opted in to the Province's principal residence requirement on March 25, 2024, in effect from November 1, 2024, and the Province's list shows Bowen Island Municipality as a community where it applies.\n\nThere are two types. A Bed and Breakfast is a home occupation with a resident operator, allowed 365 days a year. Residential Guest Accommodation is the whole dwelling or suite, up to 120 days a year. Both are under [Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/) and need a licence under [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018](https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm the rental is your principal residence (plus at most one suite or accessory dwelling).\n2. Apply for a Bowen Island business licence, including a Principal Residence Declaration. Also provide neighbour notification, proof of insurance, a fire safety plan and a parking map.\n3. Register each unit with the Province at gov.bc.ca/strregistry.\n4. Show your licence number in all advertising.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Residential Guest Accommodation rules:** no more than 120 days a year, no more than two adults per bedroom, one booking at a time, one on-site parking space per bedroom used, and a designated individual available 24 hours a day who responds to complaints within two hours.\n- **Bed and Breakfast rules:** up to 4 guest bedrooms on lots under 2 ha, 5 on lots of 2 ha or more, with one parking space per guest room in addition to the dwelling's own. Tandem parking is not permitted in residential zones.\n- **Municipal fines** (bylaw notices): operating a Residential Guest Accommodation without a licence is $300 for a first offence ($275 early, $350 late) and $475 for further offences ($450 early, $500 late). A Bed and Breakfast without a licence is $150 first ($125 early, $175 late) and $450 further. Not displaying the licence is $150; not following licence terms is $150. The Land Use Bylaw allows a court penalty of up to $2,000 plus prosecution costs. Provincial penalties are separate.\n- The Municipality's pages differ on what counts as short-term: under 30 days on its rental page, under 90 consecutive days in the licence bylaw. Confirm with the Municipality.\n- Provincial fees and dates on the Municipality's rental page may be out of date. Check the Province's page, or STRBranch@gov.bc.ca.","sources":[{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/","title":"Short-Term Rentals, Bowen Island Municipality","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/property-development/short-term-rentals/residential-guest-accommodations/","title":"Residential Guest Accommodations, Bowen Island Municipality","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/services/licences/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, Bowen Island Municipality","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/190971/","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 (PDF, consolidated November 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/289893/","title":"Business Licensing Bylaw No. 465, 2018 (PDF, consolidated for convenience December 2024)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/339717/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 196, 2008 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental.json"}}