Metchosin short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Metchosin?
Short answer
Yes, in Metchosin with a District business licence ($35 a year plus a $500 security deposit). The Province also requires registration and a principal residence rule applies here. Short term means under 30 consecutive days.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, with a District business licence: Schedule A of the Business Licence Bylaw lists Short Term Rental in "All Zones". Short term means under 30 consecutive days, including up to 4 boarders as an accessory use. The Province's principal residence requirement applies in Metchosin (it is on the Province's list of communities where it applies, as of June 1, 2026).Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), Schedule A; Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 2; Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort Term Rental (Bylaw 647) All Zones 1A Short Term Rental means the business of renting a legal dwelling unit, or portion of, for a period of less than 30 consecutive days Maple Ridge Metchosin Mission |
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| Business licence | Yes. A business licence is required; the fee is $35 a year (Schedule B, Table 1A) plus a $500 security deposit. The licence term runs November 1 to October 31.Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), Schedule A and B; Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 6(f); Business Licences, Short-term Rentals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort Term Rental (Bylaw 647) All Zones 1A A $35 $35 $35 $35 shall give security to the District by way of cash or bearer bonds in the amount of $500.00 The District of Metchosin recently changed its Business Licence Bylaw to require licenses |
| Provincial registration | Yes. The Province requires registration with the Short-Term Rental Registry for rentals under 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local business licence is required. Registration is per unit: $100 a year for the host's principal residence, $450 a year for a secondary unit.Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Registration · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingProvincial 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 |
| Operating rules | Before licensing: a local contact or property manager reachable 24 hours a day, proof it was given to adjacent owners or tenants, and a $500 security deposit. Provide enough on-site parking (no street parking). Rent to one family at a time. Show the licence number in all ads. Up to 4 boarders.Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 8; Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 2; Guide for Short-term Rental Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe name, phone and email information of a local contact or property Proof that the contact information required in subsection (a)(i) above has A person may only offer to conduct a Short Term Rental if a valid business licence including to a maximum of 4 boarders as an accessory use Make sure you know how many parking spaces would be available for renters (i.e. do not include spaces please ensure you rent to only one family at a time, and Your property will be inspected prior to the issuance of a business licence to ensure there are no life |
| Fine | $250 minimum fine for carrying on business without a licence (Municipal Ticket Information Schedule 4). On conviction, up to $10,000.Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475, Schedule 4; Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 24 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording1. No business licence 3.a. $ 250 shall be liable to a fine of not more than $10,000.00 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (short-term rental sections added by Bylaw 647); Land Use Bylaw No. 259Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 1; https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Business Licence Bylaw No. 352.” This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259. |
How it works
Schedule A of the District's Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 lists Short Term Rental in "All Zones", so it is allowed with a business licence. Short term means under 30 consecutive days, and includes up to 4 boarders as an accessory use. The Land Use Bylaw mentions short-term rentals only for bed and breakfast, which must be within the principal dwelling, up to 3 bedrooms and 6 people.
The Province's principal residence requirement applies in Metchosin (it is on the Province's list of communities, as of June 1, 2026). That limits rentals to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the property. The Province also requires registration with the Short-Term Rental Registry for rentals under 90 consecutive days: $100 a year for your principal residence and $450 a year for a secondary unit.
Steps
- Register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry.
- Before licensing, arrange a local contact or property manager reachable 24 hours a day, give their details to adjacent owners or tenants, and have the $500 security deposit ready.
- Apply for the business licence at Municipal Hall (4450 Happy Valley Road, 250-474-3167) and pay $35. The licence term runs November 1 to October 31.
- Show the licence number in all ads.
Good to know
- Rules: provide enough on-site parking (no street parking) and rent to one family at a time.
- The $500 deposit is drawn on for enforcement and must be replenished before renewal. The rest is returned within 6 months after the licence ends.
- Operating without a licence: a municipal ticket has a $250 minimum fine, and a court can fine up to $10,000.
- The District's Business Licences page says annual fees run from $35 to $100; the bylaw sets $35 for short-term rental. The District also has a Good Neighbour brochure and application package.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Colwood · Langford · View Royal · Sooke · Esquimalt · Victoria
Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Building Permits | District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018) (read 2026-11-06)
- Guide for Short-term Rental Business Licences (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licences, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
- Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475, Schedule 4 (read 2026-11-06)
- Principal residence requirement, Province of BC (read 2026-11-06)
- https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/ (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.