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Chetwynd short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Chetwynd?

Chetwynd, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Chetwynd's Zoning Bylaw has no short-term rental use. A bed and breakfast is allowed if the owner lives there, and suites must be rented for a month or longer. Chetwynd is exempt from the Province's principal residence requirement, but short-term rentals still need provincial registration.

Key facts

AllowedThe Zoning Bylaw has no short-term rental use. Bed and breakfast is allowed as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones if the owner permanently lives there. Suites must be rented for a month or longer. Chetwynd is on the Province's exempt list: the provincial principal residence requirement does not apply here.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.19 and 4.12(1)(e); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 10.2 (R1); Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Province page, list of exempt communities; Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Province page, exempt municipalities · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
The owner of the bed and breakfast shall permanently reside in the building in which the bed and
breakfast guests are accommodated.
shall be rented for periods of not less than one
month.
ii. Bed and breakfast accommodation iii. Beekeeping iv. Day care v. Detached suite
Municipalities exempt from the principal residence requirement
Castlegar Chase Chetwynd Clearwater Clinton
Business licenceNo short-term rental licence category exists. Bylaw No. 906 charges $100 for any business not otherwise listed (Category 19, Unclassified). Bed and breakfast operators must register with the District. Suites need an annual District business licence.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, Schedule A, Category 19; Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.19(1)(a) and 4.12(1)(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Any person carrying on any business,
not otherwise enumerated in this Schedule “A” shall
$100.00
All operators of bed and breakfast accommodations must register with the District.
An annual business license issued by the District of Chetwynd is required.
Provincial registrationYes. Provincial registration applies to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local business licence is required. Compliance with local bylaws is a condition of registration.Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Province page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
Compliance with local bylaws is a condition of registration.
Operating rulesBed and breakfast: owner lives in the single-detached dwelling; wholly inside the dwelling; at most 3 guestrooms and 6 adult guests combined; breakfast is the only meal; no guest stays more than 30 consecutive days; no change to the outside look of the parcel; 1 parking space per guest bedroom, plus the house's own.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.19; Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, Table 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
A maximum of three (3) guestrooms to accommodate a maximum of six (6) adult guests combined will
Breakfast will be the only meal permitted to be served to guests.
The maximum length of stay for any guest will not exceed 30 consecutive days.
A bed and breakfast must not alter the external appearance of the parcel.
1 space per each bedroom used for accommodation, in addition to the required
FineCarrying on business without a licence: $50 ticket, increasing by the original amount for each continuing offence (Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw). Zoning Bylaw offences: a fine of up to $10,000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935, 2011, Appendix 2 (Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 2.5(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Carry on business without obtaining license 4.1.1 $ 50.00*
*Increase by original amount for each continuing offence
A person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000.00.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023 (s. 4.12 Suites, s. 4.19 Bed and Breakfast Accommodations) and Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, Title; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
1. This Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023”.
BUSINESS LICENSING AND REGULATION
BYLAW NO. 906, 2009

How it works

In the District of Chetwynd, the Zoning Bylaw No. 1150 has no short-term rental use. It allows a bed and breakfast as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones if the owner permanently lives there, and a suite must be rented for a month or longer. Whether a whole house can be rented for under 30 days is not stated.

Chetwynd is on the Province's list of municipalities exempt from the principal residence requirement (list as of June 1, 2026; check the Province page for changes). Provincial registration still applies to rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local business licence is needed. Compliance with local bylaws is a condition of registration.

Steps

  1. Check that your zone allows a bed and breakfast (section 4.19) or a suite (section 4.12).
  2. Register the rental with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry (ServiceBC 1-833-828-2240). Some accommodation types are exempt, so read the Province page.
  3. Register a bed and breakfast with the District, and get a District business licence (see business-licence).

Good to know

  • Bed and breakfast rules: owner lives in the single-detached dwelling; wholly inside the dwelling; at most 3 guestrooms and 6 adult guests combined; breakfast is the only meal; no guest stays more than 30 consecutive days; no change to the outside look of the parcel; 1 parking space per guest bedroom, plus the house's own.
  • The Business Licensing Bylaw No. 906 has no short-term rental category; the unlisted-business rate is $100.
  • Carrying on business without a licence is a $50 ticket, increasing by the original amount for each continuing offence, under Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935. Zoning Bylaw offences can carry a fine of up to $10,000. No ticket amounts for the current Zoning Bylaw were found.
  • No rule on posting a registration number was found.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Hudson's Hope · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St. John · Taylor · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe

Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps (PDF), District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated (PDF), District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935, 2011 (PDF), District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Principal residence requirement, Province of BC (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. How answers are checked.