{"title":"Duncan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Duncan?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","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":"In the City of Duncan, short-term rentals are allowed only in the Low Density Residential zone, in the host's personal residence. You need a City business licence, the City's signed commitment (24/7 contact, licence number in ads) and Provincial registration.","aliases":["airbnb duncan","vrbo duncan","short term rental licence duncan","rent a room airbnb duncan bc"],"cost":"City business licence: $100 a year if paid before March 1 ($125 after; $50 for new licences issued after July 1). No separate short-term rental fee was found. Provincial registration: $100 a year for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business licences","value":"licence@duncan.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3"},{"type":"phone","label":"Provincial short-term rental line (Service BC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"},{"type":"email","label":"Provincial short-term rental registry","value":"STRregistry@sbc.gov.bc.ca"}],"documents":["Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (City form)","Business Licence Application","Provincial short-term rental registration number"],"forms":[{"title":"Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (PDF)","url":"https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Short-Term-Rental-Committment.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licences, City of Duncan","url":"https://duncan.ca/businesses/business-licences/"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF)","url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322"},{"title":"Short-term rentals, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Duncan business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/business-licence/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Duncan secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/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":"Only in the Low Density Residential zone, in a single-unit dwelling or an attached or detached secondary suite; one per parcel or strata. The host must declare it is their personal residence, and the provincial rules and Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act apply.","short":"Only in Low Density Residential zone, personal residence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19","section":"s. 3.19","quotes":["Where permitted in a zone, a short-term rental is only permitted subject to compliance","A short-term rental is only permitted in a single-unit dwelling, attached secondary suite,","The maximum number of short-term rentals per parcel or entire building strata is one"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19","section":"s. 4.2.1 LDR uses","quotes":["3.19.1 Where permitted in a zone, a short-term rental is only permitted subject to compliance with all requirements and provisions of the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act and this bylaw."]},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Short-Term-Rental-Committment.pdf","title":"Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Short-Term Rental Business Licence Commitment","quotes":["The rental premises is my personal residence and that the Business Licence will be cancelled and short-term"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. Owners must hold a City of Duncan Business Licence and complete the Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment. Annual licence fee $100 if paid before March 1 ($125 after; $50 for new licences issued after July 1).","short":"Yes, $100 a year if paid before March 1","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.ca/businesses/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, City of Duncan","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Owners of a short term rental unit are required to hold a City of Duncan Business Licence and complete the Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","section":"Schedule D","quotes":["1. From every business operated","$100.00","$125.00","$50.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. Short-term rental hosts must register with the Province and pay annual fees ($100 a year for the host's principal residence; $450 for a secondary unit). Duncan is on the province's list of communities with the principal residence requirement (as of June 1, 2026).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","section":"Provincial short-term rental pages","quotes":["Fee: $100 annually","Fee: $450 annually","Communities with principal residence requirement","Duncan"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Parking: 1 space per guest room. One short-term rental per parcel or strata, in a single-unit dwelling or a suite. Licence commitment: give guests a 24/7 emergency contact and City bylaws, meet fire and safety equipment rules, and show the licence number in all advertising. No guest or bedroom limit found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19","section":"s. 3.28.1, 3.19","quotes":["Short-Term Rental","1 per guest room","The maximum number of short-term rentals per parcel or entire building strata is one"]},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Short-Term-Rental-Committment.pdf","title":"Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Business Licence Commitment","quotes":["Emergency contact name and phone number (to be available 24/7).","A valid Business Licence Number will be included in any advertising, listing or promotional material relating to"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice for an unlawful bed and breakfast (Zoning s. 3.19): $100 ($75 within 14 days, $125 late). Using land contrary to the zoning bylaw: $400. No business licence: $100 ($75 early, $125 late). Municipal ticket for using land contrary to the zoning bylaw: $1,000.","short":"Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Schedule A - Zoning and Business Licence","quotes":["3.19","Unlawful bed and breakfast","$100.00","$75.00","$125.00","Use, occupy or permit a person to use or","$400.00","No business licence"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","title":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","section":"Schedule B - Zoning","quotes":["Use, occupy or permit use or occupation contrary to","$1,000.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 s. 3.19; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014; provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19","section":"s. 3.19","quotes":["permanent residents of the premises; and (b) advertisement by means of a sign. 3.19 Short-Term Rentals 3166.11 3.19.1 Where permitted in a zone, a short-term rental is only permitted subject to compliance"]},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37455/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF), City of Duncan","section":"Title","quotes":["Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014"]}],"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 Duncan's [Zoning Bylaw](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322) allows a short-term rental only in the Low Density Residential zone, in a single-unit dwelling or an attached or detached secondary suite. Only one is allowed per parcel or strata. The host must declare it is their personal residence, and the Province's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act applies. The zoning use lists for the Medium and High Density Residential zones do not include short-term rental.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your property is zoned Low Density Residential (see the City's zoning map).\n2. Register with the Province and get a registration number. Duncan is on the Province's list of communities with the principal residence requirement (as of June 1, 2026). Registration applies to stays under 90 consecutive days.\n3. Complete the City's Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment.\n4. Apply for a City business licence in person at City Hall, by email (licence@duncan.ca) or by mail, and pay the fee.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Under the commitment you must give guests a 24/7 emergency contact and the City's bylaws, meet fire and safety equipment rules, and show your licence number in all advertising.\n- Parking is 1 space per guest room. No guest or bedroom limit was found.\n- Business licences are processed within 2 weeks after payment.\n- Fines: a bylaw notice of $100 for operating without a business licence, and $400 for using land contrary to the zoning bylaw (a municipal ticket for that is $1,000).","sources":[{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/175322","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Short-Term-Rental-Committment.pdf","title":"Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.ca/businesses/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37455/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","title":"https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/","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/duncan/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/short-term-rental.json"}}