GovHandbook

Penticton short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

Penticton, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes, in most residential zones, but only by the principal resident, with two approvals. Penticton requires a City business licence (2026: $280, $550 or $830 a year depending on the type), and the Province requires you to register as a host.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as a permitted use in most residential zones (e.g. FG, A, RC, R4-L, R4-S, RM1-RM5) and some commercial zones, but only by the principal resident of the property (resides there at least 185 days a year). If there is a suite or carriage house, only one dwelling may be rented. 9 or more guests needs a site-specific rezoning.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.6, ss. 7.6.1, 7.6.2, zone use lists; Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01, s. 2 definitions; Short-Term Rentals, Step 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
short term rental (subject to specific use regulation 7.6)
A residential dwelling unit subject to Section 7.6 of this Bylaw shall only be rented
out by the principal resident of the property in question.
only one dwelling may be used for
the purpose of a short term rental.
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE means the residence in which an individual resides for at least 185 days
this type of vacation rental requires a site-specific zoning amendment prior applying for a business licence.
Business licenceYes. A City business licence is required. 2026 annual fees: Short Term Vacation Rental Minor $280, Major $550, Major High Occupant $830. A non-refundable application deposit ($31, or $285 for High Occupant) is credited to the fee.Short-Term Rentals, Apply for Your Business Licence; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07 (consolidated October 2026), Appendix 5; Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A business licence is required to operate a short-term rental.
Short Term Vacation Rental (Minor)(per year) $270.00 $280.00
Short Term Vacation Rental (Major)(per year) $540.00 $550.00
Short Term Vacation Rental (Major High Occupant)(per year) $810.00 $830.00
Any person carrying on business in the City must first hold a valid and subsisting
Provincial registrationYes. The City says you must also register with the Province once you have your City business licence. The Province requires short-term rental hosts to register and pay annual registration fees.Short-Term Rentals, Step 2; Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia, Registration overview · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Provincial Registration with the Province is required once you have obtain your City of Penticton Business Licence
Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees.
Operating rulesMaximum 2 people per bedroom and 8 guests (more needs High Occupant status). One licence per parcel. Post contact numbers, maximum occupant load and the decal visible from the street; list contacts on the City Business Directory; show the licence number in all ads. Renters must park on the property.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.6, s. 7.6.2 to 7.6.4; Apply for a Business Licence, What You Need to Apply; Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01, Business Licence Bylaw 2026-01, s. 14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A maximum of two (2) persons per bedroom is permitted per short term rental
dwelling unit up to eight (8) guests.
No structural alteration or addition to a dwelling unit to facilitate a short term
The owner shall ensure that renters do not create any form of nuisance for
The property owner shall ensure that renters park all vehicles within the
Short Term Rental, High Occupant
1 per licensed bedroom,
Applications for a Short-Term Rental require a letter of permission from the property owner if the applicant is a tenant, and strata approval where applicable.
A maximum of one short term rental business licence may be issued per parcel.
post contact numbers and the maximum overnight occupant load in a visible location from the street and must display decal;
include the City of Penticton business licence number in all listings, advertising and promotion for the business.
FineOperating a vacation rental contrary to the zoning rules: bylaw notice $100 ($90 early, $110 late) or municipal ticket $200. Operating without a business licence: bylaw notice $450 ($425 early, $500 late) or municipal ticket $500.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (consolidated June 2026), Appendix 7 and Appendix 4; Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (consolidated June 2026), Schedules B7 and B4; Short-Term Rentals, Bylaw Enforcement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Operating a vacation rental 7.6 $100.00 $90.00 $110.00 Yes
Carry on business without a 3.1 $450 $425 $500 No
Operating a vacation rental contrary to bylaw 7.6 $200.00
Carry on business without a licence 3.1 $500
liable for daily fines for an ongoing offence.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (s. 7.6 Short Term Rentals) and Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.6; Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
7.5.4 A rural home occupation shall not generate more than six (6) client visits at any given time. 7.6 Short Term Rentals 7.6.1 Ownership .1 A short term rental shall not be operated without a valid business license issued
Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 Consolidated for convenience only
Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01

How it works

Under Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (section 7.6), short-term rental is a permitted use in most residential zones (for example FG, A, RC, R4-L, R4-S and RM1 to RM5) and some commercial zones, but only by the principal resident, who lives there at least 185 days a year. If there is a suite or carriage house, only one dwelling may be rented. Nine or more guests needs a site-specific rezoning. A City business licence is required under Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01.

Steps

  1. Check your zone on the Property Viewer and read the City's Short-Term Rental Guide.
  2. Apply for the City business licence and pay the application deposit. Strata approval is needed where it applies.
  3. Once you have the licence, register with the Province's short-term rental registry (1-833-828-2240).

Good to know

  • Limits: maximum 2 people per bedroom and 8 guests (more needs High Occupant status). One licence per parcel. Renters must park on the property.
  • Post your contact numbers, the maximum occupant load and the decal where they are visible from the street. List your contacts on the City Business Directory and show the licence number in every ad.
  • Fines: operating contrary to the zoning rules is a $100 bylaw notice or a $200 municipal ticket. Operating without a business licence is a $450 bylaw notice or a $500 municipal ticket. Daily fines can apply to an ongoing offence.
  • The Province requires hosts to register and pay annual registration fees.

What you'll need

  • Proof the home is your primary residence, or a provincial exemption
  • Strata corporation approval, if the unit is in a strata

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Osoyoos

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

Sources

  1. Short-Term Rentals, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.6 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business License Bylaw No. 2026-01 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07 (consolidated October 2026), Appendix 5 (PDF) (read 2026-10-29)
  5. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-10-29)
  8. Apply for a Business Licence, City of Penticton (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. How answers are checked.