{"title":"Fernie short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Fernie?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/fernie","name":"Fernie","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 Fernie a short-term rental needs a City short-term rental licence, and only your principal residence qualifies (plus certain condo/hotel properties), not suites or second homes. The licence is $500 a year for a principal residence. Provincial registration is also required.","aliases":["airbnb fernie","vrbo fernie","short term rental licence fernie","rent out my house fernie"],"cost":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw 2028, Schedule A: $500 a year for a principal residence, $700 for a condo/hotel with full ownership, $175 for each quarter share, and $20 to change the contact number. The City's general $150 business licence fee does not apply to short-term rentals.","how_long":"No processing time is stated. The City reviews an application only once payment is received.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"501 3rd Avenue, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m."},{"type":"email","label":"Submit application","value":"corporateservices@fernie.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-423-2244"},{"type":"email","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"bylawservices@fernie.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Provincial short-term rental registry","value":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"},{"type":"phone","label":"Province (Service BC) short-term rental questions","value":"1-833-828-2240"}],"documents":["Completed short-term rental application","Completed Self-Inspection Checklist","Proof of principal residence","Site plan","Floor plan"],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Fernie","url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/short-term-rentals.html"},{"title":"Apply for a new Business Licence (application and Self-Inspection Checklist)","url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/apply-for-a-new-business-licence.html"},{"title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw 2028 (PDF)","url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573"},{"title":"Provincial short-term rental registry","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Fernie business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/cranbrook","name":"Cranbrook","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/elkford","name":"Elkford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kimberley","name":"Kimberley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/canal-flats","name":"Canal Flats","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/creston","name":"Creston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/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":"Yes, with a City business licence, but only in your principal residence (a room, an apartment or a house), and in condo/hotel properties in the C-1, C-HWY, CD-2 and R3R zones. Not allowed in secondary suites, garage suites, garden suites or secondary homes.","short":"Yes, principal residence only, with licence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"s. 2 'Short-Term Rental'; Sch. C item 1 and 4","quotes":["means a business operated by a person in their Principal Residence","Short-Term Rentals are not permitted in secondary suites and secondary dwelling units.","All Short-Term Rental business licences are valid only for the Principal Residence which"]},{"url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/short-term-rentals.html","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Fernie","section":"Short-Term Rentals","quotes":["Properties zoned as Condo/Hotels in the C-1, C-HWY, CD-2 and R3R zones, as outlined in the Zoning Bylaw No. 1750.","Which properties DO NOT qualify for a Short-Term Rental?"]},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/197505","title":"Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"s. 2 'Short-Term Rental'; 'Home Occupation'","quotes":["the rental of all or a portion of a Dwelling Unit for periods of less than 30 days for valuable consideration in accordance with a valid and subsisting business licensed issued for that use in"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. No one may offer or advertise a short-term rental without a valid short-term rental licence for that dwelling. Annual fee: $500 (primary residence), $700 (condo/hotel, full ownership), $175 (each quarter share). Online ads must show the licence number.","short":"Yes, $500 a year (primary residence)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"s. 12(1), 12(7); Sch. A","quotes":["No person shall offer or advertise for lease, rent or barter any portion of a dwelling","unit for Short-Term Rental for valuable consideration unless in possession of a valid and subsisting","B. Short-Term Rental-Primary Residence (Annual Fee) $500","C. Short-Term Rental-Condo/Hotel-Full Ownership (Annual Fee) $700","D. Short-Term Rental-Each Quarter Share (Annual Fee) $175","All electronic advertisements for Short-Term Rental must include the licensee’s"]},{"url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/apply-for-a-new-business-licence.html","title":"Apply for a new Business Licence, City of Fernie","section":"Short-Term Rental Business License","quotes":["Applications will only be reviewed once payment is received."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. Hosts renting for fewer than 90 consecutive days must register with the Province, whether or not a City licence is needed. Fernie is on the Province's exempt list, so the provincial principal residence requirement does not apply here; the City's bylaw still requires a principal residence. ServiceBC: 1-833-828-2240.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/short-term-rentals.html","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Fernie","section":"Provincial Regulations","quotes":["Anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C. and listing on a platform, which may include, for example, Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com, is also required to register with the Provincial Government of British Columbia.","The Provincial regulations apply if you rent your property for a period of less than 90 consecutive days."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia","section":"Short-term rentals","quotes":["Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees.","please contact the ServiceBC call centre at 1-833-828-2240"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Two parking spaces on the parcel, kept clear of snow; a contact person reachable within 24 hours; one licence per dwelling unit; the licence number in every online ad; one extra on-site staff member in residential zones (two in commercial zones). No permanent cooking facilities in the rental area unless it is the whole dwelling. Licence is not transferable.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"s. 12(3), 12(5), 12(6), 12(7); Sch. C items 4 and 5","quotes":["Only one Short-Term Rental business licence may be issued for a dwelling unit.","A Short-Term Rental operator shall provide two (2) parking spaces of dimensions","specified in the Zoning Bylaw located on the parcel the business licence is issued for.","at all times provide to the City the name of a contact person","and their current telephone number who is available to respond within 24 hours of","ii. In residential zones as specified by Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, one (1) additional","Unless it is the entire dwelling, permanent cooking facilities are not permitted in the Short-","Short-Term Rental business licences shall not be transferable."]},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/197505","title":"Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"Part 5 parking table","quotes":["short-term rental 2 spaces"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $750 for advertising a short-term rental without a licence; $500 for failing to provide two parking stalls; $500 for failing to respond within 24 hours. $750 for carrying on business without a licence.","short":"Ticket $750","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/55199","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"Appendix 3","quotes":["Advertisement of Short-Term Rental without a Licence 12.1 $750.00","Failure to provide two (2) parking stalls 12. (5) i $500.00","Failure to respond within 24 hours 12. (5) iii $500.00","Carrying on business without a Licence 3. (1) $750.00"]},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"s. 15(1)(f)","quotes":["a fine and penalty of not more than $1,000.00 and not less than $100.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (s. 12 and Schedules A and C); Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (short-term rental definition and parking)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"Title","quotes":["Consolidated Bylaw No. 2028, cited as the Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw"]},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/197505","title":"Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie","section":"Title page","quotes":["CONSOLIDATED ZONING BYLAW NO. 1750"]}],"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\nUnder the City of Fernie's [Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw 2028](https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573), no one may offer or advertise a short-term rental (a rental of less than 30 days) without a valid short-term rental licence for that dwelling. A licence is allowed only in your principal residence (a room, an apartment or a house), and in condo/hotel properties in the C-1, C-HWY, CD-2 and R3R zones. It is not allowed in secondary suites, garage suites, garden suites or secondary homes. The licence ends if the home stops being your principal residence.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check that the home is your principal residence, or a listed condo/hotel property.\n2. Complete the application and the Self-Inspection Checklist, and gather proof of principal residence, a site plan and a floor plan.\n3. Submit in person at City Hall or by email to corporateservices@fernie.ca, and pay the fee. The City reviews applications only once payment is received.\n4. Register with the Province if you rent for fewer than 90 consecutive days. Service BC: 1-833-828-2240.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Rules:** two parking spaces on the parcel, kept clear of snow; a contact person reachable within 24 hours; one licence per dwelling unit; the licence number in every online ad. No permanent cooking facilities in the rental area unless it is the whole dwelling. The licence is not transferable.\n- **Staff:** one extra on-site staff member is allowed in residential zones (two in commercial zones).\n- **Province:** Fernie is on the Province's exempt list, so the provincial principal-residence rule does not apply here. The City's bylaw still requires a principal residence. The Province also requires PST and tourism tax on stays of 26 days or less.\n- **Fines:** a municipal ticket is $750 for advertising a short-term rental without a licence, $500 for not providing two parking stalls, and $500 for not responding within 24 hours.\n- No limit on guests or bedrooms was found in the bylaws.","sources":[{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/573","title":"Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/short-term-rentals.html","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Fernie","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/apply-for-a-new-business-licence.html","title":"Apply for a new Business Licence, City of Fernie","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/197505","title":"Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://fernie.civicweb.net/document/55199","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia","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/fernie/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/short-term-rental.json"}}