GovHandbook

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

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

Port Hardy, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

AllowedYes, 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).Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14 (Bylaw 1181-2025); Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 6.1 R-1; Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of exempt communities · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
Short Term Vacation Rental (see section 3.14)
Communities exempt from the provincial principal residence requirement:
Port Edward Port Hardy Port McNeill
Business licenceYes. 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.Accommodation Rentals Regulations, Accommodation Rentals Regulations page; User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F and Schedule I s. 1(l); B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist, B&B-STVR Guide, Business Licencing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
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
Rates will not be pro-rated.
Provincial registrationYes. 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%).Accommodation Rentals Regulations, Accommodation Rentals Regulations page; Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Registration fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
In addition to registering your short-term rental with the province
PST is collected at 8% and MRDT at 3%
Each short-term rental unit requires its own registration number.
Fee: $100 annually
Fee: $450 annually
Operating rulesOne 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14(e)-(i); B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist, B&B-STVR Guide, Business Licencing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
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
FineMunicipal 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.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014, Schedule F, s. 6(a)(i); Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 2.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006
Failure to obtain business licence $ 100.00
Every person who commits an offence under this Bylaw is liable on summary conviction to a fine not
BylawZoning 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025, s. 3.14; Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL
BYLAW 1181-2025 Short Term Vacation Rentals amended
This bylaw may be cited as the "Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006."

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, 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 and the District guide. 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

The same question in other places

Port McNeill · Port Alice · Tahsis · Sayward · Gold River · Campbell River

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1010-2013, consolidated December 2025 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Accommodation Rentals Regulations, District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  3. User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  4. B&B and Short-Term Vacation Rental Guide and Operator Checklist (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, Province of BC (read 2026-11-08)
  6. Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
  7. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (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. How answers are checked.