---
title: Creston short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Creston?"
place: Creston, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/creston
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/short-term-rental.json"
---

# Creston short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

**Question:** Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Creston?

**Short answer:** Yes, in Creston only in your principal residence, or one attached accessory dwelling unit in the same building. You need a Town Short Term Rental business licence ($520 a year) and a provincial registration. The licence number must appear in every ad.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Town licence $520 a year; provincial registration $100 a year for your principal residence or $450 for a secondary unit.  
**How long:** The Town states no processing time. Renewal applications must be received by January 31.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, 238 - 10th Ave. N., Creston, BC (Pay in person Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-428-2214
- Phone: Business Licences (Town Hall), 250-428-2214 ext. 410
- Online: Short-Term Rentals page, https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, only in the operator's principal residence (where they live longer in a calendar year than anywhere else), or in one attached accessory dwelling unit in the same building as that residence. Allowed as an accessory use in AG, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN and CDNW. The Town's web page says 8 months a year, which differs from the bylaws. (Sources differ: The Town's web page says the operator must live in the dwelling 'at least 8 months per year'; the Zoning Bylaw says 'a longer period of time in a calendar year than any other place' and the Business Licence Bylaw says 'Principal Residence' (usually lives). The value follows the bylaws. R2 is deleted in the Zoning Bylaw but still named on the page.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 4.9.2](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf)
  - Official wording: "only in the Principal residence where the operator of the Short term rental resides for a longer period of time in a calendar year than any other place;" … "a maximum of one Attached accessory dwelling unit may be used as a Short term rental for 12 months per year."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 6 s. 1(b)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall operate a Short Term Rental unless the premises can be demonstrated to be that person’s Principal Residence."
  - Source: [Short-Term Rentals, Short-term Rentals page](https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals)
  - Official wording: "STRs are permitted in Zones R1-R6, CDNW, CN, CHS, CG, CDC, AG, but not as the primary use." … "where they live for at least 8 months per year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A valid Short Term Rental business licence is required to operate or advertise; the annual fee is $520.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 6 s. 1(c), (d)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall operate a Short Term Rental without a valid and subsisting licence." … "No person shall offer or advertise a Short Term Rental without a valid licence"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026), Schedule 4A](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rental $520.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Provincial registration is required for short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, regardless of whether a local licence is required. Creston is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.
  - Source: [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Business licence exemptions; List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days" … "Creston"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Fire Department inspection at least every 3 years; the licence number must appear in every ad; Municipal and Regional District Tax collected; a daily guest register (name, phone, address, vehicle plate) kept and given to the Town on request; a welcome booklet and fire safety plan for guests.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 6 s. 1(e), 4, 5](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rentals are subject to inspection by the Fire Department once every three (3) years" … "a valid business licence number." … "establish and maintain a daily register of the name, telephone number, address, and vehicle licence plate number, for every overnight guest of the business"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rentals, Short-term Rentals page](https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals)
  - Official wording: "STRs require a Fire Safety Plan." … "STRs must only be advertised on a website that collects MRDT"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Advertising a short-term rental without a business licence: $250 bylaw notice ($225 early, $275 late). Operating without a business licence: $100 ($50 early, $125 late). Using land contrary to the Zoning Bylaw: $275 ($250 early, $300 late). A court conviction can bring $2,500 to $10,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Advertising a Short Term Rental without a" … "6.4 (a) $250.00 $225.00 $275.00" … "1793 5.1 No Business Licence. $100.00 $50.00 $125.00" … "1958 3.1.1 Use land or building contrary to bylaw $275.00 $250.00 $300.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 8 s. 1](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars and not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred ($2,500.00) Dollars"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (Part 6, Short Term Rentals); Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (s. 4.9)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 1](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017”."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 1.1](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as "Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022"."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf) (s. 4.9) allows short-term rentals only in the operator's principal residence (where they live longer in a calendar year than anywhere else), or in one attached accessory dwelling unit in the same building as that residence. It is an accessory use in the AG, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN and CDNW zones.

A valid Short Term Rental business licence is required to operate or advertise. The annual fee is $520, from Part 6 of the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf). Provincial registration is also required for rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days. Creston is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.

## Steps

1. Confirm your home is your principal residence and your zone allows it.
2. Apply to the Town with proof of ownership, proof of principal residence, owner authorization if you are not the owner, and a filled-out welcome booklet.
3. Pass the Fire Department inspection (at least every 3 years).
4. Register with the Province ([provincial page](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)): $100 a year for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.
5. Put the licence number in every ad, and renew by January 31.

## Good to know

- A $20 discount applies to renewals paid by January 31 and to new licences paid within 30 days of approval.
- Keep a daily guest register (name, phone, address, vehicle plate) and give it to the Town on request. Guests get a welcome booklet and fire safety plan. Municipal and Regional District Tax is collected.
- No limit on guests or bedrooms and no STR parking requirement was found. The rental must not change the neighbourhood character, and one sign is allowed.
- Fines (bylaw notices): advertising without a licence $250 ($225 early, $275 late); operating without a licence $100 ($50 early, $125 late); using land contrary to the Zoning Bylaw $275 ($250 early, $300 late). A court conviction can bring $2,500 to $10,000.
- The Town's [Short-Term Rentals](https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals) page says 8 months a year in the dwelling; the bylaws say principal residence. Confirm with the Town.

## Official forms and pages

- [Short-Term Rentals, Town of Creston](https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf)
- [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)

## Related questions

- [Creston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/business-licence.md)
- [Creston secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/secondary-suite.md)
- [Creston bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Creston zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/short-term-rental.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/short-term-rental.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/short-term-rental.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/short-term-rental.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/short-term-rental.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Short-Term Rentals, Town of Creston](https://www.creston.ca/short-term-rentals) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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/creston/short-term-rental/_