{"title":"Burnaby short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Burnaby?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","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":"Yes, but only in the registered owner's principal residence. Burnaby requires a short-term rental business licence ($278 a year plus a $55 application fee) and limits rentals to 90 nights a year, no more than 28 of them with the owner away. The Province also requires registration.","aliases":["airbnb burnaby","vrbo burnaby","short term rental licence burnaby","rent out room burnaby","illegal airbnb burnaby"],"cost":"City short-term rental business licence $278 a year (initial and renewal, no proration, valid January 1 to December 31), plus a $55 application fee. Provincial registration fees also apply; see the Province's page.","how_long":"The licence is valid from January 1 to December 31. The City does not state a processing time.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Licensing, apply or report an illegal rental","value":"rentallicence@burnaby.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Licensing","value":"604-294-7320"},{"type":"phone","label":"Provincial Short-Term Rental registry (Service BC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"},{"type":"email","label":"Provincial Short-Term Rental registry","value":"STRregistry@sbc.gov.bc.ca"}],"documents":["Proof of principal residence","Letter from the strata council, if you live in a strata"],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Burnaby","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/programs-and-policies/housing/short-term-rentals"},{"title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Burnaby business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Burnaby secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Burnaby noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/noise-rules/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Burnaby bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/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, but only in the registered owner's principal residence. Not in a rental unit, secondary suite, accessory building, or a home with boarding, child care or a home occupation with on-site clients. Max 90 nights a year, and no more than 28 of those with the owner away. Tenants cannot operate one.","short":"Yes, owner's principal residence only, max 90 nights","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF), Part 6","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 s. 3.3","quotes":["short-term rental shall only be permitted in the principal residence of a registered owner of the","(i) a rental unit;","(ii) a secondary suite;","(vi) an accessory building or structure."]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","section":"Business Licence Bylaw, Schedule G s. 3.1 and 3.6","quotes":["unless the short-term","rental being provided is in the principal residence unit of that person.","shall not operate a short-term rental for more than 90 nights","not be absent from their principal residence unit for more than 28 nights."]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/programs-and-policies/housing/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Burnaby","section":"Short-Term Rentals page","quotes":["Only homeowners are permitted to operate short-term rentals within their principal residence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A short-term rental business licence is required before operating or marketing a rental. Fee: $278 a year (initial and renewal; no proration, valid January 1 to December 31), plus a $55 application fee.","short":"Yes, $278 a year plus $55 application","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","section":"Business Licence Bylaw, Schedule G s. 2.1-2.2","quotes":["No person shall carry on business as a short-term rental operator without having first","obtained a business licence to do so from the Chief Licence Inspector.","No person shall market any short-term rental unless they hold a business licence as a short-"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule A2","section":"Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw","quotes":["Short Term Rental* $278.00 $278.00 N/A","Application fee $55.00","* Business Licence is valid from January 01 to December 31 of each year, or portion thereof,"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Burnaby","section":"Business Licences page, \"Short-term rental\"","quotes":["If your application is approved, we'll send you a notice for payment (business licence fee and a non-refundable application fee)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. Short-term rental hosts in B.C. must register with the Province and pay annual registration fees. If not registered, listings are removed, existing bookings cancelled and new bookings blocked.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","section":"Provincial STR registration page","quotes":["Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees.","Consequences for failure to register are:","Your existing bookings will be cancelled, and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Up to 4 unrelated guests or 6 family members. Put the licence number in listings and post the licence and a fire safety plan at the entrances. Give guests contact and bylaw information; attend within 2 hours of a request; keep booking records; notify neighbours yearly. 1 extra parking space for the rented portion.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Burnaby","section":"Business Licences page, \"Short-term rental\"","quotes":["Up to 4 unrelated guests, or 6 people within the same family, are permitted to stay in a short-term rental."]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","section":"Business Licence Bylaw, Schedule G s. 3.4, 4.1, 4.3-4.7","quotes":["in a conspicuous place in any medium or material used to market the short-term rental.","at least 10 days prior to the first day in a calendar year that a","at all times post a copy of their short-term operator","within two hours of being requested to do so","shall post a fire safety plan by all entrances and exits to the short-term rental."]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-7-Parking-Loading-Mobility.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 7 Parking, Loading and Mobility (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 7 s. 1.3.1.2","quotes":["1 for each dwelling unit or portion that is used for short-term","rentals, in addition to the required parking space for the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days) for operating or marketing without a licence, operating outside a principal residence, or exceeding 90 nights / 28 absent nights. Other short-term rental offences are $200 to $500 (e.g. $400 no fire safety plan). Court: $5,000 to $10,000 per violation.","short":"Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 15 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw Schedule G","quotes":["2.1 Failure to obtain a valid business licence 500 400 NO","Market short-term rental without a business","3.1 500 400 NO","3.6 500 400 NO","nights or be absent for more than 28 nights","Failure to post fire safety plan 400 320 YES"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","section":"Business Licence Bylaw s. 13.1","quotes":["and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than five thousand dollars","($5,000.00) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (No. 13809), Schedule G Short-Term Rental Regulations; Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815), Part 6 s. 3.3","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","section":"title and Schedule G","quotes":["SCHEDULE \"F\" (REPEAL BYLAW 14411) SCHEDULE \"G\" (BYLAW 14272) SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS 1.0 Definitions 1.1 In this Schedule,","Consolidated Bylaw No. 13809C Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017 Bylaw No. 13809","Consolidated Bylaw No. 13809C Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017","Unofficial Consolidation Bylaw No. 13809 Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (2026.1) Page 1 \"responsible person\" means a person designated by the short-term rental operator who, at"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF), Part 6","section":"Part 6","quotes":["Part 6 / Use-Specific Regulations 3.3 Short-Term Rentals (1) Short-term rental is permitted as an accessory use to small-scale multi-unit housing, rowhouse","Parts 1 to 7 and Schedules [ to III constitute and form an integral part of Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026. Public Notice Dates this 30\" day of April, 2026 and 7\" day of May, 2026","ZONING BYLAW BYLAW NO. 14815","TABLE OF CONTENTS"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Burnaby allows short-term rentals only in the registered owner's principal residence, where residential use is permitted (small-scale multi-unit housing, rowhouse, townhouse, apartment and live-work units). Under [Business Licence Bylaw 13809](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf), Schedule G and Zoning Bylaw 2026 Part 6, section 3.3, they are not allowed in a rental unit, a secondary suite, an accessory building, or a home with boarding, child care or a home occupation with on-site clients. A rental with a secondary suite in the same dwelling is only allowed if the suite is rented long term (30 days or more). Tenants cannot operate one. The bylaw also bars corporations and more than one licence per person.\n\nThe limit is 90 nights a year, and no more than 28 of those with the owner away. Burnaby is on the Province's list of communities where the provincial principal residence rule applies.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm you qualify (see above).\n2. Apply for a short-term rental business licence before you operate or market the rental, with proof of principal residence and, in a strata, a letter from the strata council. Email rentallicence@burnaby.ca or call 604-294-7320.\n3. Pay the $278 licence fee and the non-refundable $55 application fee.\n4. Register with the Province. Unregistered listings are removed, existing bookings cancelled and new bookings blocked.\n5. Follow the operating rules below.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Up to 4 unrelated guests or 6 family members.\n- Put the licence number in listings and post the licence and a fire safety plan at the entrances.\n- Give guests contact and bylaw information, attend within 2 hours of a request, keep booking records and notify neighbours yearly (where the home is a single family, two family or row housing dwelling).\n- One extra parking space is needed for the rented portion in small-scale multi-unit housing and rowhouses.\n- A bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days) for operating or marketing without a licence, outside a principal residence, or beyond 90 nights or 28 away nights. Other short-term rental notices run $200 to $500. A court can fine $5,000 to $10,000 per violation.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/programs-and-policies/housing/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Schedule G","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf","title":"Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule A2","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF), Part 6","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-7-Parking-Loading-Mobility.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 7 Parking, Loading and Mobility (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Provincial short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/burnaby/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/short-term-rental.json"}}