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

# Lake Country short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**Short answer:** In Lake Country you can run a short-term rental only in your principal residence, in a zone that allows it, with a District business licence ($100 application fee, then $350 a year). You must also register with the Province if you list on a platform such as Airbnb.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** $100 non-refundable application fee, then $350 for the annual licence (same for a bed and breakfast).  
**How long:** An inspection of the rental space comes first. The District does not state a licence timeline for short-term rentals.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business Licensing, business@lakecountry.bc.ca
- Phone: Business Licensing (Monday to Wednesday), 778-738-2723
- Online: Province of BC, short-term rentals principal residence requirement, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, only in zones that list short term vacation rental as a use, and only in the host's principal residence (shown by claiming the annual homeowner property tax grant). It must be within the primary residence, not in an accessory suite, trailer, garage or similar.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15.2](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "only occur in a principal residence, as demonstrated through the claiming of an" … "not be located within an Accessory Suite;"
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page, STVR section](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)
  - Official wording: "Accommodations must be within a STVR zone (zoning map, zoning bylaw [PDF/7.6MB])." … "Accommodations must be occupied by the principal resident for the majority of the year."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 15.1 (RU1) secondary uses](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "short term vacation rental"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Short-term vacation rentals need a District business licence: $100 non-refundable application fee, then $350 for the annual licence (same fees for a bed and breakfast). An inspection of the rental space comes first.
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Application Fee Short Term Vacation Rentals and Bed & Breakfast $100.00" … "Short Term Vacation Rentals & Bed and Breakfast $350.00"
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)
  - Official wording: "All STVR's must have a valid District of Lake Country Business Licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. The District says anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C. and listing on a platform such as Airbnb, VRBO or Booking.com must register with the Province. Lake Country is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)
  - Official wording: "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 required to register."
  - Source: [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: "Kent Lake Country Langford"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Principal residence only; no more than 4 sleeping units rented at once; no stay over 30 consecutive days; not in an accessory suite; all parking and waste on site (guests may not park on the street); homeowner insurance; a posted emergency evacuation plan; a valid District business licence.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15.2](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "not be rented for more than thirty (30) consecutive days;" … "not have more than four (4) sleeping units rented concurrently;" … "contain all parking and waste removal associated with the rental onsite."
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page, STVR section](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)
  - Official wording: "There is parking for all guests on the property (guests’ vehicles are not permitted to park on the street)." … "Homeowner must have the proper insurance for the STVR." … "Emergency Evacuation Plan (Sample) - must be posted where guest can reference quickly."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($250 if paid within 14 days, $625 late) for not principal residence, over 30 days, over 4 sleeping units or in an accessory suite; $250 for parking and waste not on site. Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 within 30 days) and $500 ($250). Operating without a licence: $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.3, zoning](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rental – not principal $500.00 $250.00 $625.00" … "Short Term Rental – parking and $250.00 $125.00 $315.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule 4, zoning](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rental – not principal residence $1000.00 $500.00" … "Short Term Rental – parking and waste not contained on site $500.00 $250.00"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.10, business licensing](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "3.1(a) Fail to obtain a required licence $100.00 $50.00 $125.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (s. 10.15 Short Term Vacation Rental Regulations); Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017; Fees Bylaw 987, 2016, Schedule 15
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "10.15. Short Term Vacation Rental Regulations"
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), Title](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/business-licensing-bylaw-1000-2017-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENSING BYLAW 1000, 2017"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In the District of Lake Country, a short-term vacation rental is allowed only in zones that list it as a use (the lists read include RU1, RLP, RLPO, RR1, RR2 and RR3; check your zone in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)) and only in the host's principal residence, shown by claiming the annual homeowner property tax grant. It must be within the primary residence, not in an accessory suite, trailer, garage or similar. You need a District business licence, and the Province requires registration for platform listings. Lake Country is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone allows short-term vacation rentals.
2. Apply for a District business licence ([Business Licencing page](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)). The rental space is inspected first.
3. Register with the Province if you list on Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com or a similar platform.

## Good to know

- **Rules:** no more than 4 sleeping units rented at once; no stay over 30 consecutive days; all parking and waste on site (guests may not park on the street); homeowner insurance; and a posted emergency evacuation plan.
- **Inspection checks:** egress, hardwired interconnected smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor and a visible fire extinguisher.
- **Fines:** a bylaw notice is $500 ($250 if paid within 14 days, $625 late) for not being a principal residence, stays over 30 days, more than 4 sleeping units or use of an accessory suite; $250 for parking and waste not on site. A municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 within 30 days) or $500 ($250). Operating without a licence is $100 under either system.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licencing, District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing)
- [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)

## Related questions

- [Lake Country business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/business-licence.md)
- [Lake Country home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/home-based-business.md)
- [Lake Country secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/secondary-suite.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/short-term-rental.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/short-term-rental.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/short-term-rental.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licencing, District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/businesslicencing) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/business-licensing-bylaw-1000-2017-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [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)

_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/lake-country/short-term-rental/_