North Cowichan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in North Cowichan?

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In North Cowichan you can run a short-term rental (under 90 consecutive days) only in your primary residence, in zones the Municipality lists. You need a North Cowichan business licence ($100 a year) and must register with the Province through its STR portal.

Key facts

Allowed	Yes, in the operator's primary residence only, in the zones the Municipality lists (A1, A2, A3, A5, R1, R1-U, R2, R2-R, R3, R3-R, MA1, MA2, C2, C3, C7). Each zone's conditions of use may restrict it. A short-term rental is under 90 consecutive days.Short-term rentals, Short-term rentals page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A short-term rental is defined as any rental of a legal dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit (such as a bedroom) for less than 90 consecutive days. Be within all or part of the operator’s primary residence; Bed and breakfasts or short-term rentals are permitted in North Cowichan in the following zones.
Business licence	Yes. A North Cowichan business licence for short-term rental is required: $100 per year ($50 if after July 1). The application needs a floor plan of the residence.Short-term rentals, Short-term rentals page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Have a valid North Cowichan business licence (for short-term rental) Include a floor plan of the residence A business licence is $100 per year, payable once your application is approved and a licence issued ($50 if after July 1).
Provincial registration	Yes. Hosts must register with the Province through the STR portal. North Cowichan is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies (as of June 1, 2026).Short-term rentals, Short-term rentals page; Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Be registered with the province through the STR portal; The expandable menu below lists the communities where the principal residence requirement applies (as of June 1, 2026). New Westminster North Cowichan North Saanich
Operating rules	B&B limit in the Zoning Bylaw: 3 sleeping units in R2, R2-R, R3 and R3-R (accessory to the home), 6 in A zones, R1 and R1-U. Make guests aware of the Noise Bylaw, say where guests can park, keep dogs leashed, give access to bins. Post the licence.Short-term rentals, Guest Information; Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153, s. 3(a); Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, R3 s. 58(8)(d); A1 s. 51(8)(a); R1-U · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Ensure guests are made aware of North Cowichan's Noise Bylaw Any guest parking that is not on your property must abide by sections 8-10 of North Cowichan's Traffic Bylaw. Guests must be given access to recycling, garbage, and organics bins post the licence in a conspicuous place on the real or personal property Bed and breakfast uses may have no more than three sleeping units. Bed and breakfast uses may have no more than six sleeping units.
Fine	Operating without a business licence. Bylaw notice: $200 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $220 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $200.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, Business Licence Bylaw schedule; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Section 4 Business Licence Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 2 (1)(a) Carry on business without a licence $200 $100 $220 YES No Business Licence 2(1)(a) $200
Bylaw	Business Licence Bylaw 2002, Bylaw No. 3153; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784.Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153, cover; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 2002 Bylaw 3153 ZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950

How it works

North Cowichan allows short-term rentals (under 90 consecutive days) in the operator's primary residence only, in these zones: A1, A2, A3, A5, R1, R1-U, R2, R2-R, R3, R3-R, MA1, MA2, C2 and C3 and C7. Each zone's conditions of use may restrict it. The Province also requires hosts to register through its short-term rental portal, and North Cowichan is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies (as of June 1, 2026).

The Zoning Bylaw limits bed and breakfast uses by zone: up to 3 sleeping units in R2, R2-R, R3 and R3-R (accessory to the home), and up to 6 in A zones, R1 and R1-U.

Steps

Confirm your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
Apply for a North Cowichan business licence with a floor plan of your residence: licensing@northcowichan.ca or 250-746-3108.
Register with the Province through its short-term rental portal.
Post the licence and follow the guest rules below.

Good to know

Make guests aware of the Noise Bylaw, tell them where to park, keep dogs leashed and give them access to bins.
Operating without a business licence: a bylaw notice is $200 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $220 after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $200. Zoning breaches have separate bylaw notices of $100.
Under Business Licence Bylaw 3153 as amended in 2026, the Business Licence Inspector can set licence conditions such as hours, parking and a good neighbour agreement.
The page we read sets no limit on guests or bedrooms.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich

Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Short-term rentals, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Principal residence requirement, Province of BC (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (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. How answers are checked.