{"title":"New Westminster short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in New Westminster?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","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 New Westminster, short-term rentals are not permitted unless you hold a valid Bed and Breakfast business licence, which is for a home where you live. A secondary suite or laneway house cannot be used. You must also register with the Province, which has its own fee.","aliases":["airbnb new westminster","vrbo new westminster","bed and breakfast licence new westminster","short term rental registry new westminster","rent a room to tourists new westminster"],"cost":"City B&B licence (2026): $214 annual fee and a $59 non-refundable application fee. Provincial registration: $100 a year for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.","how_long":"Not stated. Building, Plumbing, Fire and Business Licensing staff inspect.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business Licensing (B&B licence)","value":"businesslicences@newwestcity.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licensing","value":"604-527-4565"},{"type":"online","label":"Provincial short-term rental registry (host registration)","value":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php"},{"title":"B.C.'s short-term rental principal residence requirement","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 8473, 2024 (PDF)","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"New Westminster home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"business-licence","title":"New Westminster business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"New Westminster secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/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":"Not permitted unless the operator holds a valid Bed & Breakfast business licence. A B&B is a home based business where the operator lives on site and rents rooms for under 90 days with a daily breakfast. It is not allowed in a detached accessory building such as a laneway house.","short":"No, unless operator has a B&B business licence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster (Short Term Accommodations)","section":"Short Term Accomodations","quotes":["will continue to not permit short-term rentals unless the operator has a valid Bed & Breakfast business license."]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"s. 3.6","quotes":["reside at the business premises and be that person’s primary residence;","not operate within a detached accessory dwelling unit or any other","provide temporary sleeping accommodation of no less than a daily","basis and for no more than a 90 day continuous basis;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes, a B&B business licence. 2026 fees: $214 annual and a $59 non-refundable application fee. Building, Plumbing, Fire and Business Licensing staff inspect.","short":"Yes, $214 a year plus $59 application","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CNW_2026_BL_Fees_web.pdf","title":"Business Licence Fees 2026 (PDF), Schedule B","section":"Schedule B, Business Licence Fees 2026","quotes":["Bed & Breakfast Accommodation","$214.00","Business Licence Application (excluding Liquor Primary and Cannabis Retail)","$59.00"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster (Short Term Accommodations)","section":"Short Term Accomodations","quotes":["Inspection by Building, Plumbing, Fire and Business Licensing staff is required."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's page still shows the 2025 fees ($58 application, $209 annual); the Schedule B to Bylaw 8529 for 2026 was followed."},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. The Province requires registration for rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days, even where a local licence is required. Each unit needs its own registration number. Annual fee: $100 for the host's principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"B.C.'s short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","section":"Registration","quotes":["Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, regardless of whether a local business licence is required.","Each short-term rental unit requires its own registration number.","Fee: $100 annually","Fee: $450 annually"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"B.C.'s short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","section":"Communities with principal residence requirement","quotes":["Nelson New Westminster North Cowichan"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"B&B: no more than four guests, plus one per 500 ft² over 2,000 ft², to a maximum of 10. At most one parking space per bedroom and two per three bedrooms. Operator must live on site and serve daily breakfast. Fire alarms and a posted fire safety plan required. The licence must be posted in public view.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"s. 3.6","quotes":["not provide sleeping accommodation to more than four guests","to a maximum of 10","not occupy more than one off-street parking or one on-street","provide fire alarms in the principal residence unit and the bed and breakfast","ensure a fire safety plan is posted in a visible location for guests.","Every licence holder shall keep a copy of the licence posted in a","conspicuous place visible to the public in the premises"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"s. 3.19","quotes":["Every operator of a home based business must first receive permission"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 for operating without a business licence ($450 early, $525 late); exceeding the B&B guest limit is $250. The Municipal Ticket Information schedule sets $1,000 and $750 for the same offences. The City page warns of $200 to $400 per day per offence.","short":"Notice $500 ($450 if paid early); ticket $1,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009 (PDF, consolidated 2026)","section":"Schedule A, Part 4","quotes":["2.1 No business licence 500.00 450.00 525.00","3.6(4) Exceed maximum guest 250.00 200.00 275.00"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster (Short Term Accommodations)","section":"Short Term Accomodations","quotes":["Operators in contravention may face fines of $200-400 per day, per offence"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019 (PDF, consolidated 2026)","section":"Schedule B, Part 4","quotes":["8473, 2024 2.1 No business licence 1,000.00","Exceed maximum guest count 750.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City web page says $200-400 per day per offence; the Bylaw Notice Enforcement schedule sets the amounts shown. Followed the bylaw schedule."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (s. 3.6, Bed and Breakfasts); Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (s. 190.28)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"title page","quotes":["BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 8473, 2024"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 190.28","quotes":["Requirements for Home Based Businesses"]}],"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\nThe City of New Westminster does not permit short-term rentals unless the operator holds a valid Bed and Breakfast (B&B) business licence, under [Business Licence Bylaw 8473](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf) s. 3.6. A B&B is a home-based business where the operator lives on site and rents rooms for under 90 days with a daily breakfast. It is not allowed in a detached accessory building such as a laneway house.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Get landlord or strata permission first, if it applies.\n2. Apply for a B&B business licence from Business Licensing. Building, Plumbing, Fire and Business Licensing staff inspect.\n3. Register with the Province. It requires registration for rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days, even where a local licence is required. Each unit needs its own registration number.\n4. Post the licence in public view.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- B&B rules: no more than four guests, plus one per 500 square feet over 2,000 square feet, to a maximum of 10. At most one parking space per bedroom and two per three bedrooms. Fire alarms and a posted fire safety plan are required.\n- Secondary suites, laneway houses and carriage houses cannot be used for short-term rentals. If the house has a suite, the B&B may run in the main house or the suite, not both.\n- Fines: operating without a business licence is $500 by bylaw notice ($450 if paid early, $525 if late) or $1,000 by municipal ticket. Exceeding the B&B guest limit is $250 by bylaw notice or $750 by municipal ticket.\n- The City's page warns of $200 to $400 per day per offence, which differs from the ticket schedules. Confirm with Business Licensing.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster (Short Term Accommodations)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CNW_2026_BL_Fees_web.pdf","title":"Business Licence Fees 2026 (PDF), Schedule B","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"B.C.'s short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_7318__2009_Bylaw_Notice_Enforcement__2026_07_29_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009 (PDF, consolidated 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8077__2019_Municipal_Ticket_Information__2026_07_29_consolidation_(1).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019 (PDF, consolidated 2026)","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/new-westminster/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/short-term-rental.json"}}