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Duncan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

Duncan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

AllowedOnly 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, section 3.19, s. 3.19; Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, section 3.19, s. 4.2.1 LDR uses; Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment, Short-Term Rental Business Licence Commitment · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
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.
The rental premises is my personal residence and that the Business Licence will be cancelled and short-term
Business licenceYes. 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).Business Licences, Business Licences page; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Schedule D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
1. From every business operated
$100.00
$125.00
$50.00
Provincial registrationYes. 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).Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Provincial short-term rental pages · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fee: $100 annually
Fee: $450 annually
Communities with principal residence requirement
Duncan
Operating rulesParking: 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, section 3.19, s. 3.28.1, 3.19; Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Short-Term Rental
1 per guest room
The maximum number of short-term rentals per parcel or entire building strata is one
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
FineBylaw 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A - Zoning and Business Licence; https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/, Schedule B - Zoning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Use, occupy or permit use or occupation contrary to
$1,000.00
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 s. 3.19; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014; provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations ActZoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, section 3.19, s. 3.19; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014

How it works

The City of Duncan's Zoning Bylaw 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.

Steps

  1. Confirm your property is zoned Low Density Residential (see the City's zoning map).
  2. 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.
  3. Complete the City's Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment.
  4. Apply for a City business licence in person at City Hall, by email (licence@duncan.ca) or by mail, and pay the fee.

Good to know

  • 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.
  • Parking is 1 space per guest room. No guest or bedroom limit was found.
  • Business licences are processed within 2 weeks after payment.
  • 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).

What you'll need

  • Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (City form)
  • Business Licence Application
  • Provincial short-term rental registration number

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF), section 3.19 (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Short Term Rental Business Licence Commitment (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licences, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-05)
  8. https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/37465/ (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.