---
title: Parksville short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Parksville?"
place: Parksville, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/parksville
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/short-term-rental.json"
---

# Parksville short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**Short answer:** Parksville has no short-term rental bylaw, and its zoning does not list short-term rental as a use. Tourist accommodation is allowed only in resort and tourist zones, and bed and breakfasts follow zoning s. 612. The provincial principal-residence rule applies, and a provincial registration number must be in every listing.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** City licence: bed and breakfast $50 a year; tourist accommodation (3 or more units) $25 per unit, up to $500 a year. Province registration: $100 a year for a principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City business licences, 250 954-4650
- Email: City business licences, biz@parksville.ca
- Phone: City planning (zoning questions), 250 954-4697
- Phone: ServiceBC (short-term rental registry), 1-833-828-2240

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Parksville has no short-term rental bylaw, and the zoning bylaw does not list short-term rental as a use. Tourist accommodation is allowed only in resort and tourist zones (for example RA-1, MWC-1). A bed and breakfast is allowed in a residential use under s. 612. The provincial principal-residence rule applies.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 201.1, definitions, s. 612](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161)
  - Official wording: "the uses listed in a particular schedule and no others shall be permitted" … "residential use means a fixed place of accommodation and home life, excluding any tourist accommodation" … "bed and breakfast accommodation shall be permitted within a permitted residential use" … "This zone is intended to provide for tourist accommodation and ancillary services in a resort area setting." … "This zone is intended to provide for tourist accommodation, a range of tourist-oriented activities and some permanent residential use."
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, List of communities](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "North Saanich North Vancouver (City) North Vancouver (District) Oak Bay Osoyoos Parksville Pemberton Penticton Pitt Meadows"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Every business needs a City licence; 'business' includes rental activity. Schedule A lists Bed & Breakfast at $50 a year and Tourist Accommodation (3 or more units) at $25 per unit, up to $500 a year. No separate fee for renting out a house or suite short term is listed.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF), s. 2 "Business", s. 3(1), Schedule A](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815)
  - Official wording: "Every person following, practicing, carrying on, maintaining, or owning within the City, any business, shall take out and maintain a licence" … "engaging in a trade, handicraft, commercial, retail, rental or industrial activity of any kind" … "Bed & Breakfast $50" … "any building or property containing three (3) or more rental dwelling or sleeping units"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Short-term rental hosts in B.C. must register with the Province and pay an annual fee: $100 for the host's principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit such as a suite or cottage.
  - Source: [Short-term rental registry, Province of British Columbia, Registration overview](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry)
  - Official wording: "Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees"
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Principal residence and registration fees](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "The unit the host lives in is their principal residence. The guests have access to the host's space (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room). Fee: $100 annually This includes:" … "Any accommodation that is separate from the home where the host lives, sleeps, and eats is considered a secondary unit, even if it is located on the same property or connected by an interior door. Guests stay in their own private space and do not have access to the host's bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. Fee: $450 annually This includes:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Bed and breakfast (zoning s. 612): up to 2 rooms, approved by the Public Health Inspector, run by the owner or occupant, one extra off-street parking space per room, breakfast only, served before noon. The Province requires the registration number (and business licence number if required) in every listing.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), s. 612](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161)
  - Official wording: "that it shall be limited to a maximum of 2 rooms within the residential dwelling" … "that it shall be operated by the owner/occupant of the dwelling" … "that one additional off-street parking space shall be provided for each room to be rented" … "that only breakfast shall be permitted to be served to the guests, and must be served before noon"
  - Source: [Host registration, Province of British Columbia, Host registration, after approval](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry/host-registration)
  - Official wording: "Update their short-term rental listing(s) to include the valid registration number (and a local government business licence number, if required)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: no business licence $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 late); unlawful land use $100 ($75 early, $125 late). Municipal ticket: unlawful land use $100 per zone; no business licence $150 (listed under the former Business Licence Bylaw 1483).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence $150.00 $112.50 $187.50" … "Unlawful Land Use $100.00 $75.00 $125.00" … "If received by the Registry within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the notice"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478, Appendix 2 and Appendix 13](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 3(1) $150.00" … "Unlawful Land Use - RS-1 Zone 202.1 $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (ss. 201.1, 612); Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550; provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF), cover](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF PARKSVILLE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW NO. 2000"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550"
  - Source: [Short-term rental registry, Province of British Columbia, Helpful links](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry)
  - Official wording: "Learn more about B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Parksville has no short-term rental bylaw, and the [Zoning and Development Bylaw 2000](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161) does not list short-term rental as a use. Tourist accommodation is allowed only in resort and tourist zones (for example RA-1 and MWC-1). A bed and breakfast is allowed in a residential use under s. 612.

The Province's principal-residence rule applies in Parksville. It limits short-term rentals to the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit.

## Steps

1. Ask Community Planning (250 954-4697) what your zone allows.
2. Register with the Province and pay the annual fee: $100 for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit such as a suite or cottage. Without registration, listings are removed and bookings cancelled.
3. Put the registration number (and business licence number, if required) in every listing.
4. Get a City business licence. Schedule A of [Business Licence Bylaw 1550](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815) lists Bed & Breakfast at $50 a year and Tourist Accommodation (3 or more units) at $25 per unit, up to $500 a year. It lists no separate fee for renting a house or suite short term, so ask the City.

## Good to know

- Bed and breakfast rules (s. 612): up to 2 rooms, approved by the Public Health Inspector, run by the owner or occupant, one extra off-street parking space per room, breakfast only, served before noon.
- Fines: a bylaw notice for no business licence is $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 late) and for unlawful land use $100 ($75 early, $125 late). A municipal ticket is $150 for no business licence and $100 for unlawful land use.
- The City's pages set no rules on guest numbers or a local contact for other short-term rentals.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences (City of Parksville)](https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=48)
- [Zoning and Development Bylaw 2000 (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 1550 (PDF, Schedule A fees)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815)
- [Short-term rentals (Province of BC)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals)

## Related questions

- [Parksville business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence.md)
- [Parksville home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/home-based-business.md)
- [Parksville zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Parksville secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/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)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/short-term-rental.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/short-term-rental.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning and Development Bylaw, 1994, No. 2000 (consolidated to July 29, 2026, PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/70161) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated, PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478 (PDF)](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-term rental registry, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Host registration, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry/host-registration) (read 2026-11-05)

_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/parksville/short-term-rental/_