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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Ladysmith, short-term rental is allowed only as an owner-run Bed and Breakfast in your home, in zones that list it. Whole-home short-term rental is not permitted. You need a Town business licence and must register with the Province.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Town business licence $100 a year ($50 for a new business applying July 1 to December 31). Provincial registration $100 a year for a principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-245-6415
- Phone: Bylaw Compliance, 250-245-6446
- Email: Bylaw Compliance, bylaw@ladysmith.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Only as an owner-run Bed and Breakfast in the owner's home, in zones that list it (RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B, C-1, A-1, A-RR): up to four guest rooms, no kitchen, stays under 30 consecutive days (60 a year). Not with a secondary suite, coach house or two-unit dwelling. Whole-home short-term rental is not permitted.
  - Source: [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form, B&B Guide](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0)
  - Official wording: "permits Short Term Rentals (STRs) under Bed and Breakfast (B&B) use in the Zoning Bylaw." … "The use of an entire secondary suite or dwelling unit for Bed and Breakfast is not permitted."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.7(a)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Shall be operated by an owner of the Single Unit Dwelling, who resides on the" … "Shall be limited to a maximum of four (4) Guest Rooms, only one of which may" … "Shall not provide accommodation to the same person or persons more than 30" … "consecutive days, or more than 60 days within a single calendar year." … "Shall be prohibited on a Parcel where a Caretaker Dwelling, Secondary Suite," … "Bed and Breakfast subject to Part 6, Section 6.7." … "Bed and Breakfast; subject to Part 6, Section 6.7." … "Bed and Breakfast, subject to Part 6, Section 6.7."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A valid business licence is required: $100 a year ($50 for a new business applying July 1 to December 31).
  - Source: [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form, B&B Guide](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0)
  - Official wording: "Must have a valid Business Licence."
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "The cost of an annual business licence is $100." … "If you are a new business to Ladysmith and apply between July 1st and December 31st, your cost will be prorated to $50."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Each short-term rental unit offered for under 90 consecutive days must be registered with the Province: $100 a year for the host's principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit. Ladysmith is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies (as of June 1, 2026).
  - Source: [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form, B&B Guide](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0)
  - Official wording: "The Short-term rentals must be registered with the Province by May 1, 2025," … "STR operators must post a valid business license number in their listing, and platforms must"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Principal Residence Requirement, Province of BC, 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: "Communities with principal residence requirement" … "Kimberley Kitimat Ladysmith Lake Cowichan" … "Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, regardless of whether a local business licence is required." … "Fee: $100 annually" … "Fee: $450 annually"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Owner-run in the owner's principal residence; at most four guest rooms (one in an accessory building); one parking space per guest room; no kitchen or cooking facilities in guest rooms; a fire evacuation plan posted in the rental.
  - Source: [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form, B&B Guide](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0)
  - Official wording: "The owners must provide 1 parking space per guest room." … "Must be the owner's principal residence." … "Fire evacuation plan has been made visible in the rental"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.7(a)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "For clarity, Guest Rooms shall not have Kitchen Facilities, Kitchenettes, or" … "cooking facilities of any kind."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Zoning ticket: $350 for 'Contrary to Permitted Use' (Zoning Bylaw s. 5.1(b)), for example a rental use the zone does not allow. No STR-specific ticket. Court fines: up to $10,000 (Zoning Bylaw) or $2,000 (Business Licence Bylaw). The $100 'No business licence' ticket is under repealed Bylaw 876.
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513, s. 14.1](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19)
  - Official wording: "A person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw commits an offence punishable" … "upon summary conviction and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000.00, to"
  - Source: [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation, Schedule 5](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "RE: BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 1987, NO. 876" … "No business licence 3(1) $100.00" … "RE: ZONING BYLAW 2014, NO. 1860" … "Contrary to Permitted Use 5.1( b) $350.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, s. 6.7 (Bed and Breakfast, as amended by Bylaw 2187); Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513; and the Town's Bylaw 2188 'Marketing of Short Term Rental Business Licence' (text not readable).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.7](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw 2187 6.7. Bed And Breakfast Regulations"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513, title](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19)
  - Official wording: "Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513"
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "2188 Marketing of Short Term Rental Business Licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Ladysmith allows short-term rental only as an owner-run Bed and Breakfast in the owner's home, under section 6.7 of the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1860](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf). It is listed in the RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B, C-1, A-1 and A-RR zones. Guest stays must be under 30 consecutive days (60 a year). It is not allowed with a secondary suite, coach house or two-unit dwelling, and renting a whole home as a short-term rental is not permitted (it may be rented for 30 consecutive days or longer).

The Province also regulates short-term rentals. Ladysmith is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies; check the Province's page for the current list.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone allows a Bed and Breakfast with Development Services.
2. Apply for the B&B approval and a Town business licence. The checklist needs a title, owner consent, proof of principal residence, a site plan, a floor plan and a posted fire evacuation plan.
3. Register each short-term rental unit offered for under 90 consecutive days with the Province.

## Good to know

- Rules: owner-run in your principal residence; at most four guest rooms (one in an accessory building); one parking space per guest room; no kitchen or cooking facilities in guest rooms; fire evacuation plan posted.
- The Building Department may require an inspection to confirm the space meets the BC Building Code.
- A zoning ticket for "Contrary to Permitted Use" is $350. Court fines can reach $10,000 under the Zoning Bylaw or $2,000 under the Business Licence Bylaw.
- The Town also lists Bylaw 2188, a short-term rental business licence bylaw; its PDF is a scan we could not read. Ask the Town about any extra fee or rule.
- The Town's B&B guide lists fewer zones than the zoning bylaw; the bylaw governs.

## Official forms and pages

- [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0)
- [Short-Term Rental Principal Residence Requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)

## Related questions

- [Ladysmith business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence.md)
- [Ladysmith secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/secondary-suite.md)
- [Ladysmith home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/home-based-business.md)
- [Ladysmith bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/short-term-rental.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/short-term-rental.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/short-term-rental.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bed and Breakfast checklist and referral form (PDF), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/forms-permits-applications-2021/bnb-checklist-and-referral-form_fillable.pdf?sfvrsn=c397f3db_0) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences) (read 2026-11-06)
- [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 2026-11-06)
- [Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.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/ladysmith/short-term-rental/_