Lake Country short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
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.
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.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15.2; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page, STVR section; Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 15.1 (RU1) secondary uses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingonly occur in a principal residence, as demonstrated through the claiming of an not be located within an Accessory Suite; 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. short term vacation rental |
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| 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.Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingApplication Fee Short Term Vacation Rentals and Bed & Breakfast $100.00 Short Term Vacation Rentals & Bed and Breakfast $350.00 All STVR's must have a valid District of Lake Country Business Licence. |
| 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.Business Licencing, Business Licencing page; Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnyone 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. Kent Lake Country Langford |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15.2; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page, STVR section · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot 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. 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. |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.3, zoning; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule 4, zoning; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.10, business licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort Term Rental – not principal $500.00 $250.00 $625.00 Short Term Rental – parking and $250.00 $125.00 $315.00 Short Term Rental – not principal residence $1000.00 $500.00 Short Term Rental – parking and waste not contained on site $500.00 $250.00 3.1(a) Fail to obtain a required licence $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (s. 10.15 Short Term Vacation Rental Regulations); Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017; Fees Bylaw 987, 2016, Schedule 15Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.15; Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording10.15. Short Term Vacation Rental Regulations BUSINESS LICENSING BYLAW 1000, 2017 |
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) 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
- Confirm your zone allows short-term vacation rentals.
- Apply for a District business licence (Business Licencing page). The rental space is inspected first.
- 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
The same question in other places
Vernon · Coldstream · West Kelowna · Lumby · Peachland · Spallumcheen
Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licencing, District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Principal residence requirement, Province of BC (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. How answers are checked.