---
title: Port Hardy short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Port Hardy?"
place: Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-hardy
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/short-term-rental.json"
---

# Port Hardy short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in Port Hardy short-term rentals are allowed in the R-1, R-1s, R-2, R-3, RM-1, RR-1 and CD-11 zones, one per parcel and per owner. You need a District business licence ($120 a year if you live on site, $325 if not), a fire and safety inspection, and registration with the Province.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** District business licence $120 a year if living on site, $325 if not (2026); inspection fee $83. Provincial registration $100 a year for a principal residence unit, $450 for a secondary unit.  
**How long:** Not stated in the sources read.  
**Where:**
- Phone: District Office, 250-949-6665
- In person: District of Port Hardy Municipal Hall, 7360 Columbia St., Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays))
- Online: Short-Term Rental Registry (Province), https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, as an accessory use in the R-1, R-1s, R-2, R-3, RM-1 and RR-1 zones (and CD-11), under s. 3.14: one short-term rental per parcel and per registered owner; not in apartment buildings with a common entrance; mobile home parks and stratas need written owner or strata approval; not together with a B&B. Rentals under 90 consecutive days count. Port Hardy is on the Province's list of communities exempt from the provincial principal residence requirement. (Sources differ: The District's Sept 2026 B&B-STVR Guide (dated January 2025) defines a short-term rental as less than 31 consecutive days; the Zoning Bylaw (less than 90 days or as defined by provincial legislation) is followed. The Zoning Bylaw's s. 3.14 sets no principal-residence requirement (searched 'principal residence', 'reside'); the 2026 fee schedule has a lower fee for hosts living on site. Allowed in zones listed: R-1, R-1s, R-2, R-3, RM-1, RR-1, CD-11. The Province's page lists Port Hardy as exempt from the principal residence requirement (saved page, lists as of June 1, 2026).)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14 (Bylaw 1181-2025)](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A maximum of one (1) Short-Term Vacation Rental may be permitted per legal property parcel," … "A maximum of one (1) Short-Term Vacation Rental shall be permitted per registered owner of real" … "Short-Term Vacation Rentals are not permitted in apartment buildings where dwelling units share a" … "for periods of less than 90 consecutive days or as defined by Provincial"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 6.1 R-1](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Vacation Rental (see section 3.14)"
  - Source: [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of exempt communities](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Communities exempt from the provincial principal residence requirement:" … "Port Edward Port Hardy Port McNeill"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** Yes. A District business licence is required before operating and renewed annually; a fire and safety inspection is required for a new licence. 2026 fee: $120 a year if living on site, $325 if not. Inspection fee $83.
  - Source: [Accommodation Rentals Regulations, Accommodation Rentals Regulations page](https://porthardy.ca/community/bylaws/accommodation-rentals/)
  - Official wording: "A valid District of Port Hardy Business License must be obtained prior to operating an STVR or B&B within Port Hardy." … "Fire and safety inspections are required prior to the issuance of a new license."
  - Source: [User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F and Schedule I s. 1(l)](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Vacation Rentals (living on site) $120.00" … "Short Term Vacation Rentals (not living on site) $325.00" … "The fee for inspection of a Bed & Breakfast operation or Short Term Rental $83.00"
  - Source: [B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist, B&B-STVR Guide, Business Licencing](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BB-STVR-Guide-Operator-Checklist.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Rates will not be pro-rated."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. The District says to register your short-term rental with the Province. The Province issues a registration number for each rental unit; fees are $100 a year for the host's principal residence unit and $450 a year for a secondary unit. Operators must also collect PST (8%) and MRDT (3%).
  - Source: [Accommodation Rentals Regulations, Accommodation Rentals Regulations page](https://porthardy.ca/community/bylaws/accommodation-rentals/)
  - Official wording: "In addition to registering your short-term rental with the province" … "PST is collected at 8% and MRDT at 3%"
  - Source: [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Registration fees](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Each short-term rental unit requires its own registration number." … "Fee: $100 annually" … "Fee: $450 annually"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Operating rules:** One rental per parcel and per owner; must meet BC Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes; no change to the home's residential character; no extra signage beyond a home-based business sign; off-street parking as for the dwelling; licence displayed visibly from the street; must not be advertised without a valid licence; owner must prevent nuisance.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14(e)-(i)](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A short term vacation rental shall not alter the residential character and appearance of the single" … "No additional or freestanding signage beyond what is permitted for a Home-Based Business shall be" … "Off-street parking shall be provided in conjunction with the requirements for residential dwelling units"
  - Source: [B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist, B&B-STVR Guide, Business Licencing](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BB-STVR-Guide-Operator-Checklist.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must not be advertised or operated without a" … "The business licence shall be displayed in a visible location from the street." … "The property owner must ensure that the occupants do not create any form of nuisance"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket $100 for failing to obtain a business licence. The 2014 ticket schedule has no line for short-term rental rules. Zoning Bylaw offences carry up to $10,000 on conviction unless a ticket amount is set.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014, Schedule F, s. 6(a)(i)](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006" … "Failure to obtain business licence $ 100.00"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 2.6](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every person who commits an offence under this Bylaw is liable on summary conviction to a fine not"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, s. 3.14 (amended by Bylaw 1181-2025); Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006; User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL" … "BYLAW 1181-2025 Short Term Vacation Rentals amended"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, s. 1](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/52f7ad7f-731b-48e7-94fe-1b2e8e14f05016-2006_business_license_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as the "Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006.""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf), s. 3.14 (as amended by Bylaw 1181-2025), allows a short-term rental as an accessory use in the R-1, R-1s, R-2, R-3, RM-1 and RR-1 zones, and in CD-11. Rentals under 90 consecutive days count. The rules:

- One short-term rental per parcel and per registered owner, and not together with a bed and breakfast.
- Not in apartment buildings with a common entrance. Mobile home parks and stratas need written owner or strata approval.
- Must meet the BC Building, Fire and Plumbing Codes, with no change to the home's residential character.
- Off-street parking as for the dwelling; no extra signage beyond a home-based business sign.
- The licence must be visible from the street, and the rental must not be advertised without a valid licence. The owner must prevent nuisance.

Port Hardy is on the Province's list of communities exempt from the provincial principal residence requirement. The bylaw sets no principal-residence rule.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Get a District business licence before operating, renewed annually. See the [Accommodation Rentals Regulations page](https://porthardy.ca/community/bylaws/accommodation-rentals/) and the [District guide](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BB-STVR-Guide-Operator-Checklist.pdf). The 2026 fee is $120 a year if you live on site and $325 if not; the fire and safety inspection is $83. Renovations needed for the licence require a building permit and inspection first.
3. Register with the Province. It issues a number for each rental unit: $100 a year for a principal residence unit and $450 a year for a secondary unit. Operators must also collect PST (8%) and MRDT (3%).

## Good to know

- Per the guide, you must post a floor plan and "Call 9-1-1" notices.
- The guide defines a short-term rental as under 31 consecutive days; the bylaw says under 90 consecutive days or as provincial law defines. The bylaw is followed here; confirm with the District.
- The guide says licences are not pro-rated, but the Business Licence Bylaw sets half the annual fee for businesses liable after June 30. Ask the District.
- No limit on guests or bedrooms was found for short-term rentals. Bed and breakfasts are limited to three guest rooms and six guests.
- A municipal ticket is $100 for operating without a business licence. The 2014 ticket schedule has no line for short-term rental rules, and zoning offences carry up to $10,000 on conviction.

## Official forms and pages

- [Accommodation Rentals Regulations, District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/community/bylaws/accommodation-rentals/)
- [B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BB-STVR-Guide-Operator-Checklist.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025 (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Hardy business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/business-licence.md)
- [Port Hardy home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Hardy secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/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)
- [Port McNeill](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port Alice](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alice/short-term-rental.md)
- [Tahsis](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/short-term-rental.md)
- [Sayward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/short-term-rental.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/short-term-rental.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025 (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/1010-2013-Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-December-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Accommodation Rentals Regulations, District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/community/bylaws/accommodation-rentals/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1187-2026-User-Rates-and-Fees-for-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BB-STVR-Guide-Operator-Checklist.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006 (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/52f7ad7f-731b-48e7-94fe-1b2e8e14f05016-2006_business_license_1.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy](https://porthardy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/01-2010_mti_consolidated_august_2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_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/port-hardy/short-term-rental/_