--- title: Chilliwack short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo) question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Chilliwack?" place: Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/chilliwack category: Housing and renting owner: shared sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/short-term-rental/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/short-term-rental.json" --- # Chilliwack short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo) **Question:** Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Chilliwack? **Short answer:** Yes, but only at your principal residence (or on the same lot). Chilliwack requires an Accessory Home Occupation business licence ($100 a year) and the Province requires registration in its short-term rental registry. The City allows up to 3 sleeping units and 8 guests in total, with one parking stall per sleeping unit. **Who handles it:** More than one level of government **Cost:** City business licence (Accessory Home Occupation) $100 a year; $10 for the one-month licence if you rent your whole home while you are away. Provincial registry $100 a year if you live there, $450 for a secondary suite, plus a $1.50 service fee. **How long:** The City page does not state a processing time. **Where:** - Online: Apply for a business licence online, https://www.chilliwack.com/main/link.cfm?id=2936 (Email extra forms and Fire Safety Plan to blinfo@chilliwack.com.) - Phone: Planning Department, 604-793-2906 - Email: Planning Department, planning@chilliwack.com - Phone: Provincial registry help (Service BC), 1-833-828-2240 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) ## Key facts - **Allowed:** Allowed only as an Accessory Home Occupation (rentals of 28 consecutive days or less) in a Dwelling Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit on the same lot as the operator's Principal Residence, with no more than three Sleeping Units and eight guests in total. The property must be occupied by the owner, or by a tenant of the owner who is identified on the Business Licence; a tenant needs the owner's written consent and a strata resident needs strata council consent. The entire Principal Residence may also be rented while the owner or operator is temporarily away, for a maximum of 28 consecutive days a year, with a one-month Business Licence. Not allowed in recreational vehicles or any structure that is not a Dwelling Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit. (Sources differ: The entire Principal Residence may be rented only while the operator is temporarily away, for a maximum of 28 consecutive days a year (s. 5). The City's STR page links a Short-Term Rental Bylaw at attachID=7300 that returned 404 today, so the copy checked is Bylaw 5141 as in the City's bylaw list; its definitions are repeated in Zoning Bylaw 5000 s. 2. The FAQ says rentals 'under 28 consecutive days'; the bylaw says 28 consecutive days or less.) - Source: [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141, ss. 3, 4, 6](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) - Official wording: "operates on the same lot as the Principal Residence" … "The property containing the Short-Term Rental must be occupied by a person who is:" … "to a maximum of eight guests in total" … "Notwithstanding Section 4, the entire Principal Residence may be used for a Short-Term" … "days a year), and the owner or operator must apply for a one month Business Licence, per" … "accommodation for guests for 28 consecutive days or less, where such" - Source: [Short-Term Rentals FAQ, FAQ Q2](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) - Official wording: "Short-Term Rentals are not permitted in Recreational" … "Vehicles, or any other structure or shelter that is not a Dwelling Unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit." - Source: [Short-Term Rentals FAQ, FAQ Q1](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) - Official wording: "Short-Term Rentals are rentals under 28 consecutive" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 - **Business licence:** Yes. An Accessory Home Occupation business licence is required; the annual fee is $100. Renting out the whole Principal Residence while the operator is away (up to 28 consecutive days a year) needs a one-month licence, $10. Only one Short-Term Rental licence may be issued per lot. - Source: [Short-Term Rentals, City STR page](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974) - Official wording: "A business licence is required for STRs" - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484, Schedule A items 1 and 13; s. 26(2); s. 29(5)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936) - Official wording: "Mobile, non-resident or home occupation" … "1 month licence (where applicable)" … "Only one Short-Term Rental Accessory Home Occupation Business Licence may" - Source: [Short-Term Rentals FAQ, FAQ Q7 and Q13](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) - Official wording: "The annual fee is $100." … "obtain a 1 month business licence ($10 fee)." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 - **Provincial registration:** Yes. Hosts must also register each short-term rental unit with the Province's short-term rental registry, and put the registration number and local business licence number on listings. - Source: [Register as a host, Province of BC, Host registration overview](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry/host-registration) - Official wording: "Short-term rental hosts must register their short-term rentals with the provincial short-term rental registry to operate in B.C." … "local government business license number (if required)" - Source: [Short-Term Rentals, City STR page](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974) - Official wording: "The Province also regulates STRs with requirements to register them through the provincial short-term rental registry." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 - **Operating rules:** Maximum three Sleeping Units and eight guests in total. One parking space per Sleeping Unit (unenclosed, freely accessible to the public, and signed as guest parking for the sole use of the guest; the City FAQ also says the stalls must be paved), which can reduce the number of Sleeping Units allowed. Online advertisements must show the Business Licence number, and the licence must be posted in a visible location in the rental. Building Code and safety requirements apply (interconnected smoke alarms linked to a monitored security alarm panel, a fire extinguisher on each floor, a fire safety plan on each bedroom door). Meals may not be prepared or served after 11:00 am. No local contact person is required by the bylaw. - Source: [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141, ss. 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) - Official wording: "no more than three Sleeping Units to a maximum" … "of eight guests in total" … "must include the licensees’ Business Licence number" … "one 3A10BC rated fire extinguisher is required on each floor" … "meals may not be prepared or served after 11:00" - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000, Parking table (s. 5)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624) - Official wording: "1 space per SLEEPING UNIT (the space must" … "SHORT-TERM RENTAL 1 space per SLEEPING UNIT (the space must" … "public, and signed as “guest parking” to" - Source: [Short-Term Rentals FAQ, FAQ Q6](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) - Official wording: "1 parking stall per Sleeping Unit is required." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 - **Fine:** $500 per ticket under the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw Schedule A (early payment $490, late payment $510), for example for operating without a Business Licence (s. 5), exceeding three Sleeping Units or eight guests (s. 6), or not posting the licence number (s. 7). On conviction under the bylaw itself, the fine is up to $10,000 and each day is a separate offence. - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A, Schedule A, Bylaw 5141](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436) - Official wording: "Exceeding maximum of 3 Sleeping Units and/or" … "500.00 490.00 510.00" - Source: [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141, ss. 22, 23](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) - Official wording: "each day that such violation is caused or allowed to continue shall constitute a separate" … "a fine of $10,000.00" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 - **Bylaw:** Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141; Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (s. 26); Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (s. 4.06(3) and parking table) - Source: [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141, s. 1](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) - Official wording: "“Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141”" - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484, s. 1](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936) - Official wording: ""Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484"" - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000, s. 4.06(3)(a)(i)(F)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624) - Official wording: "a SHORT-TERM RENTAL may be permitted in" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05 ## How it works In the City of Chilliwack, a short-term rental (28 consecutive days or less, including Airbnb, VRBO and bed and breakfasts) is allowed only as an Accessory Home Occupation in a home or an accessory dwelling (secondary suite, coach house or garden suite) on the same lot as your principal residence. The owner must live there, or a tenant of the owner named on the licence, with the owner's written consent (and strata council consent in a strata). It is not allowed in recreational vehicles or any building that is not a dwelling. The Province adds its own rule: the host must register each unit. Rules are in the [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) and the [Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624). ## Steps 1. Confirm the rental is on the same lot as the home you live in, and your insurance allows it. 2. Apply for a City Accessory Home Occupation business licence ($100 a year) with the documents above. Only one short-term rental licence is issued per lot. 3. Register the unit with the provincial short-term rental registry. 4. Put your business licence number and provincial registration number in every online listing, and post the licence in a visible place in the rental. ## Good to know - Limits: no more than 3 sleeping units and 8 guests in total. - Parking: one stall per sleeping unit, unenclosed, freely accessible and signed as guest parking. The stalls you can provide can reduce the number of sleeping units allowed. The City's FAQ also says the stalls must be paved; the bylaw does not say so, so confirm with the Planning Department. - Safety: interconnected smoke alarms linked to a monitored alarm panel, a fire extinguisher on each floor, a fire safety plan on each bedroom door. Meals may not be prepared or served after 11:00 a.m. - The whole home can be rented only while you are temporarily away, for up to 28 consecutive days a year, with a one-month licence ($10). - Bylaw tickets are $500 each (for example, no licence, more than 3 sleeping units or 8 guests, or no licence number posted). Early payment is $490; late payment is $510. On conviction the fine can be up to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence. - Existing licensed bed and breakfasts are not affected by the new rules. ## What you'll need - Proof the rental is on the same lot as your principal residence (such as BC Services Card or driver's licence) - Floor plan marking the sleeping units, and a parking plan - Fire Safety Plan and Fire Safety Self-Assessment Form - Owner Consent Form and Strata Consent Form, if applicable ## Official forms and pages - [Short-Term Rentals (City of Chilliwack)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974) - [Short-Term Rentals FAQ (PDF, July 2025)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) - [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) - [Register as a host (Province of BC)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry/host-registration) ## Related questions - [Chilliwack business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence.md) - [Chilliwack home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/home-based-business.md) - [Chilliwack secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/secondary-suite.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md) - [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/short-term-rental.md) - [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/short-term-rental.md) - [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/short-term-rental.md) - [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/short-term-rental.md) - [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/short-term-rental.md) - [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/short-term-rental.md) ## Sources - [Short-Term Rentals, City of Chilliwack](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974) (read 2026-11-05) - [Short-Term Rentals FAQ (PDF), City of Chilliwack (July 2025)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=8467) (read 2026-11-05) - [Short-Term Rental Bylaw 2021, No. 5141 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6574) (read 2026-11-05) - [Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936) (read 2026-11-05) - [Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436) (read 2026-11-05) - [Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-05) - [Register as a host, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry/host-registration) (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. 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/chilliwack/short-term-rental/_