{"title":"Powell River short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Powell River?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"housing-and-renting","name":"Housing and renting"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Powell River you may rent a room, suite or your whole home for under 90 consecutive days, but only in your principal residence. You need a City business licence ($180 a year) and registration with the Province's short-term rental registry. Vacation rentals of a property that is not your home are not permitted.","aliases":["airbnb powell river","short term rental licence powell river","vrbo powell river bylaw","rent my house on airbnb powell river"],"cost":"$180 a year business licence (Tier 3); no licence is issued until the fee is paid. Fines for advertising or operating without a licence are listed under Good to know.","how_long":"Licences expire December 31 each year and must be renewed.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building and Licensing (City)","value":"604-485-8614","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC V8A 1V4"},{"type":"phone","label":"Provincial STR registry (Service BC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"},{"type":"email","label":"Provincial STR registry","value":"STRregistry@sbc.gov.bc.ca"}],"documents":["Recent title certificate, plus the owner's written permission if you are not the owner","Floor plan showing all rental areas and common areas","Proof of registration with the Province"],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rentals page, City of Powell River","url":"https://powellriver.ca/pages/short-term-rentals"},{"title":"STR Information Sheet (June 2024, PDF)","url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/138091"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (PDF)","url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (PDF)","url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876"},{"title":"Information for hosts, platforms and guests, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/information"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Powell River business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/business-licence/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Powell River secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/short-term-rental/"}],"topic":{"title":"Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, only in your principal residence: you may rent a room, suite or the whole home for less than 90 consecutive days. One short-term rental per lot, in R1, R2, R3, R3A, RA1, A0, A1, A2 and CD4 zones (and where single-family dwellings are allowed in MX). Vacation rentals of a property that is not your home are not permitted.","short":"Yes, principal residence only, one per lot","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.ca/pages/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Powell River","section":"Short-Term Rentals page","quotes":["allows the short-term rental (STR) of rooms or dwellings for less than 90 consecutive days or less in your principal residence.","One STR is permitted per lot.","Vacation rental operations, or the renting of a property that is not your primary residence, is no longer permitted."]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (consolidated May 15, 2025, PDF)","section":"s. 7.5.1, 7.5.2","quotes":["Short-term rental use is permitted as an accessory use to residential use in R1, R2, R3, R3A, RA1, A0, A1, and A2 zones, and where single family dwellings are permitted in the MX zone.","Use is only permitted in a lawful dwelling unit;","Only one short-term rental use is permitted per lot;"]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (consolidated May 15, 2025, PDF)","section":"s. 13.4.3 (CD4)","quotes":["(c) short-term rental use"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A City business licence is required: Tier 3, $180 a year. No licence is issued until the fee is paid. It expires each December 31, cannot be transferred, and is limited to one per person and one per lot. The owner's written consent is needed; an inspection may be required.","short":"Yes, $180 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (consolidated December 19, 2024, PDF)","section":"Schedule A (Tier 3); s. 4.4.3; s. 5.6","quotes":["d) Short-term rental","Tier 3 less than 185 sqm (2000 sqft) x 10 unit apartment $180","No more than one (1) short-term rental licence may be issued per lot.","The property owner must provide written consent for the short-term rental use to the satisfaction of the Licence Administrator.","No licence shall be issued until the prescribed fee as set out in Schedule A has been paid"]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/138091","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations information sheet, June 2024 (PDF)","section":"STR Regulations information sheet","quotes":["Short-term rentals are charged a $180 Tier 3 annual business licence fee, payable once the business licence has been issued.","All licences expire on December 31."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. You must register with the Government of BC's short-term rental program, and registration is a condition of the City licence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.ca/pages/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Powell River","section":"Short-Term Rentals page","quotes":["requires a City of Powell River Business Licence and registration with the Government of BC’s short-term rental program."]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (consolidated December 19, 2024, PDF)","section":"s. 5.6.1(a)","quotes":["Compliance with the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Up to 2 adult guests per sleeping unit and 8 adults per dwelling; 1 parking space (existing spaces count). Ads must show the licence number, maximum occupancy and parking. A local contact within 30 km must answer the City within 24 hours; display the licence and the contact's details at the rental.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (consolidated May 15, 2025, PDF)","section":"s. 7.5.2(e); s. 6.5.3(b)","quotes":["Not more than two (2) adult guests shall be accommodated per sleeping unit, and not more than eight (8) adult guests shall be accommodated per dwelling unit; and","short-term rentalAB2747 1 space; where the dwelling unit in which the short-term rental is located has existing space"]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (consolidated December 19, 2024, PDF)","section":"s. 4.8.5, 4.8.6, 5.6.2(c)","quotes":["a valid and subsisting short-term rental licence number for the dwelling unit advertised;","a local contact who resides within 30km of the business location identified on the licence and has consented to respond within 24 hours of being contacted by the City."]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/138091","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations information sheet, June 2024 (PDF)","section":"STR Regulations information sheet","quotes":["1 parking space per bedroom rented, up to a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's June 2024 information sheet says 1 parking space per bedroom rented, up to 3. The Zoning Bylaw (May 2025 consolidation, s. 6.5.3(b)) says 1 space for a short-term rental, with existing spaces counted. The bylaw wins. Only the licensee may manage the rental, with at most one employee on site (s. 5.6.2(b))."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $400 for offering or advertising without a licence; $100 for operating without a licence, ads missing licence number, parking and guest numbers, or no local contact displayed. Municipal ticket: $100 for advertising or operating without a licence; $200 for unlawful short-term rental use (Zoning).","short":"Notice $100 to $400; ticket $100 to $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/159841","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Appendix 4, Business Licence Bylaw","quotes":["4.8.4 Offering or advertising for short $400 $40 $40 $200","4.8.5 Failure to disclose licence $100 $20 $20 $50","4.8.6 Failure to display local contact $100 $20 $20 $50","4.1.4 Failure to obtain a licence $100 $20 $20 $50"]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/67966","title":"Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022, PDF)","section":"Schedule 4 and Schedule 12","quotes":["Advertising a business without a valid licence 4.8.4 $ 100.00","Unlawful short-term rental use 7.5 $ 200.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (s. 4.8, s. 5.6, Schedule A) and Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (s. 7.5), with the BC Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (consolidated December 19, 2024, PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["City of Powell River Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 CONSOLIDATION"]},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (consolidated May 15, 2025, PDF)","section":"s. 7.5","quotes":["7.5 Short-Term Rental Accommodation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nIn the City of Powell River, a short-term rental is allowed only in your principal residence: you may rent a room, suite or the whole home for less than 90 consecutive days. The [Zoning Bylaw](https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876) allows one per lot in R1, R2, R3, R3A, RA1, A0, A1, A2 and CD4 zones (and where single-family dwellings are allowed in MX). Hotels and similar traveller accommodation are allowed in C1, C4 and MX zones.\n\nThe [Business Licence Bylaw](https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545) requires a licence (Tier 3, $180 a year). It expires each December 31, cannot be transferred, and is limited to one per person and one per lot. The owner's written consent is needed.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Register with the Government of BC's short-term rental program (Service BC, 1-833-828-2240). Registration is a condition of the City licence.\n2. Apply for the City business licence with your title certificate, floor plan and the owner's permission if needed.\n3. Expect an inspection for life safety; the City's information sheet says it is required and the bylaw says the Licence Administrator may require one.\n4. Pay the $180 fee. No licence is issued until it is paid. A new licence applied for on or after July 31 is charged half.\n5. Put your licence number, maximum occupancy and parking in every ad, and display the licence and your local contact's details at the rental.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: up to 2 adult guests per sleeping unit and 8 adults per dwelling; 1 parking space (existing spaces count). A local contact within 30 km must answer the City within 24 hours. Only the licensee may manage the rental, with at most one employee on site.\n- Parking differs by source: the City's June 2024 information sheet says 1 space per bedroom rented, up to 3. The Zoning Bylaw says 1 space, and the bylaw is followed here. Confirm with the City.\n- Bylaw notice: $400 for offering or advertising without a licence; $100 for operating without a licence, ads missing the licence number, parking and guest numbers, or no local contact displayed. A municipal ticket is $100 for advertising or operating without a licence and $200 for unlawful short-term rental use (zoning). Two ticket systems list this offence; both are in use. A court conviction can bring up to $10,000.\n- The City's web page says \"$100/day fine for advertising without a licence\", which differs from the ticket bylaws.","sources":[{"url":"https://powellriver.ca/pages/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Powell River","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/138091","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations information sheet, June 2024 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/41545","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2226, 2010 (consolidated December 19, 2024, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/876","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 (consolidated May 15, 2025, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/159841","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://powellriver.civicweb.net/document/67966","title":"Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/information","title":"Information for visitors and local governments, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/short-term-rental.json"}}