Campbell River short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
Can I run a short-term rental like Airbnb in Campbell River?
No. In Campbell River short-term rentals are not permitted: the Zoning Bylaw does not mention them and s. 4.1(a) prohibits any use not expressly permitted. The City also says they cannot get a business licence. Bed and breakfasts are allowed in zones that list them. Provincial registration also applies.
Key facts
| Allowed | No. The Zoning Bylaw does not mention short-term rentals, and s. 4.1(a) prohibits any use not expressly permitted. The City also says they cannot get a business licence. Bed and breakfasts are allowed in an owner- or operator-occupied principal dwelling, in zones that list them (for example R-I).Residential and Rental Zoning, Short Term Rental Accommodations; Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 4.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe City's Zoning Bylaw does not reference short term rental accommodations. As such, they are not permitted in Campbell River and cannot receive business licences. The City does, however, provide business licences for bed and breakfasts. the principal dwelling unit shall be occupied by the owner or operator of the bed and breakfast establishment; No person shall use or occupy any buildings, structure or land, including everything that is not expressly permitted is prohibited |
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| Business licence | Short-term rentals cannot receive a City business licence. A bed and breakfast can be licensed; the City's general business licence fee is $150 per year.Residential and Rental Zoning, Short Term Rental Accommodations; Business Licences, General Business Licence Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcannot receive business licences. Business licences cost $150 per year |
| Provincial registration | Yes. Short-term rental hosts must register with the Province and pay annual registration fees: $100 a year for the host's principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit on the property. Campbell River is on the Province's principal residence requirement list.Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia, Short-term rental registration; Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees. Fee: $100 annually Fee: $450 annually Campbell River Central Saanich Chilliwack |
| Operating rules | Bed and breakfast: activity confined to the inside of the principal dwelling, occupied by the owner or operator; no more than two sleeping units and four adult guests; one un-illuminated sign up to 0.4 m²; parking of 1 space per sleeping unit in addition to the house's.Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 4.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe activity shall be confined to the interior of the principal dwelling, and is no more than two sleeping units to accommodate a maximum of four adult one (single or two-sided) un-illuminated sign not larger than 0.4 square metre (4.3 square feet). 1 per sleeping unit in addition to the requirement for the principal residence. |
| Fine | $200 for operating without a business licence, $200 for an unlawful bed and breakfast business, and $200 for unlawful use of a building or land (Zoning Bylaw s. 4.1(a)), all under the Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw (Schedules 5 and 31).Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025), Schedules 5, 31 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOperate without a business license 2.1 200.00 Unlawful bed & breakfast business 4.10 200.00 Unlawful use of building, structure or land Unlawful bed & breakfast business |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006 (s. 4.10); Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 4.10; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBED AND BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATIONS Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 |
How it works
Campbell River's Zoning Bylaw does not mention short-term rentals such as Airbnb or Vrbo, and s. 4.1(a) prohibits any use not expressly permitted. The City says they are not permitted and cannot receive a City business licence.
Bed and breakfasts are allowed in an owner- or operator-occupied principal dwelling, in zones that list them (for example R-I), and can be licensed. Rules (s. 4.10): the activity stays inside the principal dwelling; no more than two sleeping units and four adult guests; one un-illuminated sign up to 0.4 m²; and one parking space per sleeping unit in addition to the house's.
Provincial rules
Hosts must register with the Province and pay annual fees: $100 a year for the host's principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit on the property. Campbell River is on the Province's principal residence requirement list, so short-term rentals are limited to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit. Contact 1-833-828-2240 or STRregistry@sbc.gov.bc.ca.
Good to know
- Tickets under the Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw are $200 for operating without a business licence, $200 for an unlawful bed and breakfast business, and $200 for unlawful use of a building or land.
- To report an unlicensed operation, call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-286-5776.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox · Powell River · Sayward · Gold River
Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licences, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025) (read 2026-11-05)
- Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-05)
- Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Enforcement, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.