Port Coquitlam short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Port Coquitlam?
Short answer
Yes, but only in your principal residence, and only in the A and RS zones. In Port Coquitlam you need a City short-term rental business licence and a Provincial registration number. Rentals are under 90 consecutive days, up to two bedrooms and four guests. Provincial registration is $100 a year, or $450 for a separate unit.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, only in the A (agricultural) and RS zones, as an accessory home business in the operator's principal residence (lived in at least 183 days a year). Up to two bedrooms without cooking facilities, a maximum of four guests per dwelling, no more than two dwelling units on the lot, and the dwelling's residential character unchanged.Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 9.4 and Section I (Principal residence) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort-term rental accommodation accessory home businesses are permitted in A and RS zones only, subject to the following regulations: The business is restricted to the provision of up to two bedrooms without cooking facilities, providing accommodation to a maximum of four patrons per dwelling; The person licensed to operate the business must occupy the dwelling unit as a principal residence. No short-term rental accommodation may be operated on a lot with more than two dwelling units. Principal residence means the dwelling unit in which an individual resides for a minimum of 183 days in a calendar year. |
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| Business licence | Yes. A short-term rental business licence is required (the City has a separate Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business Licence Application). The form says to contact Business Licensing for the fee. The Business Bylaw lists Accessory Home Business at $90 a year.Business Licencing, Business Licencing page; Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application (May 2024), Application form; Business Bylaw 3725, Schedule A, Part 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll businesses, including temporary and home-based businesses, require a valid business licence to operate in Port Coquitlam. SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMODATION BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION This application will not be processed without the application fee. Please contact the Business Licensing Division for applicable fees. Accessory Home Business For each business $90.00 |
| Provincial registration | Yes. Hosts in B.C. must register with the Province and pay annual fees: $100 a year for the host's principal residence, $450 for a separate secondary unit such as a suite or cottage. Port Coquitlam is on the Province's list where the principal residence requirement applies. Unregistered listings are removed and bookings cancelled.Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia, Provincial registry page; Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Provincial principal residence requirement page; New Provincial Housing Legislation, Bill 35 summary · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees. Your listings will no longer be advertised, Your existing bookings will be cancelled Fee: $100 annually Fee: $450 annually Port Alberni Port Coquitlam Port Moody establishes a mandatory Provincial short-term rental accommodation registry that will require hosts and platforms to include a provincial registry number |
| Operating rules | Operator must live in the dwelling as a principal residence; up to two bedrooms (no cooking facilities) and four guests; one extra off-street parking space per rental bedroom (licence form: at least 5.5 m x 2.7 m); one non-resident employee allowed; provincial registry number required; licence copy must be posted on the premises.Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 9.4; Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application (May 2024), Application form; New Provincial Housing Legislation, Bill 35 summary; Business Bylaw 3725, Business Bylaw s. 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOne additional off-street parking space is required for each bedroom providing short-term rental accommodation. One additional employee may be engaged in the operation of the business and need not reside in the dwelling unit; and Off-street parking spaces (minimum 5.5m x 2.7m unobstructed) establishes a mandatory Provincial short-term rental accommodation registry that will require hosts and platforms to include a provincial registry number Every Licencee shall keep the Licencee's copy of the Licence posted in a conspicuous place on the premises in respect of which the Licence is issued. |
| Fine | A $200 ticket ($140 if paid within 30 days, $275 after 90 days) is listed for 'Short-term rental not in principal residence', citing old Zoning section III (5-4)(f); the schedule gives no other STR tickets. Operating any business without a licence: $500 (no early discount; $500 if paid late). Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814, Schedule A.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814, Schedule A, Zoning Bylaw No. 3630; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814, Schedule A, Business Bylaw No. 3725 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingShort-term rental not III (5-4)(f) 200 140 275 N/A No Business licence 3 (a) 500 N/A 500 50% No Business licence 3 (a) 500 N/A 500 50% |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630 (Section III, s. 9.4); Business Bylaw, 2010, No. 3725; provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations ActZoning Bylaw 3630, Title page; Business Bylaw 3725, s. 1; New Provincial Housing Legislation, Bill 35 summary · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630 Business Bylaw, 2010, No. 3725 Bill 35 – Short Term Rental Accommodations Act |
How it works
Under Zoning Bylaw 3630, short-term rental is the use of a principal residence for rooming accommodation for less than 90 consecutive days. It is allowed only in the A (agricultural) and RS zones, as an accessory home business in the home you live in at least 183 days a year. The rules: up to two bedrooms without cooking facilities, a maximum of four guests per dwelling, no more than two dwelling units on the lot, and no change to the home's residential character.
The City's housing legislation page describes the provincial rule allowing the principal residence plus one suite or ADU, but the zoning rule is stricter. Follow the zoning rule.
Steps
- Confirm the home is your principal residence and the zone allows it (PoCoMAP).
- Complete the City's Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application with a floor plan, parking proof and listing details. Email it to Business Licensing or bring it to the City Hall Annex, and ask for the fee.
- Register with the Province to get a registration number for your listing. Port Coquitlam is on the Province's list where the principal residence requirement applies.
Good to know
- Provide one extra off-street parking space per rental bedroom. One non-resident employee is allowed. Post a copy of your licence on the premises.
- Boarders are not permitted in dwelling units used for short-term rental.
- Unregistered listings are removed and bookings cancelled.
- Fines: operating any business without a licence is $500. A ticket of $200 ($140 if paid within 30 days, $275 after 90 days) is listed for short-term rental not in a principal residence.
What you'll need
- Floor plan showing the rented bedroom(s) and off-street parking (5.5 m by 2.7 m)
- Listing title, photos and description (link or PDF)
- Proof of principal residence (lived in at least 183 days a year)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · Burnaby
Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Bylaw 3725 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3814 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licencing, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application (May 2024), City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- New Provincial Housing Legislation, City of Port Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-05)
- Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia (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.