{"title":"Qualicum Beach short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Qualicum Beach?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","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":"Mostly not. Qualicum Beach zoning does not allow short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive days) in residential areas, except licensed Bed and Breakfasts where the owner lives. They are allowed in some resort-condominium zones. A Town licence and Provincial registration are also required.","aliases":["airbnb qualicum beach","short term rental qualicum beach","bed and breakfast licence qualicum beach","vacation rental qualicum beach"],"cost":"No short-term rental fee is stated. Business licence fees are in Business Licensing Bylaw No. 506, Schedule A (see business-licence).","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","value":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/"},{"type":"online","label":"Bed & Breakfast Licence","value":"https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/"},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Hall","value":"250-752-6921"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (PDF)","url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf"},{"title":"Provincial principal residence requirement","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Qualicum Beach business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Qualicum Beach home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Qualicum Beach secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Qualicum Beach bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/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":"Not in residential zones. Zoning does not permit short-term vacation rentals (under 30 consecutive days) in residential areas, except Bed and Breakfasts. A whole house, secondary suite, garden suite or carriage house cannot be rented short term. They are allowed in zones where Resort Condominium is a permitted use (C2, C6, C8, C9 and CD1) if the applicant confirms compliance with Provincial rules.","short":"No in residential zones, except B&B","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations","quotes":["The Town’s zoning regulations do not permit STVRs in residential areas, except for those designated as Bed and Breakfasts.","Prohibited STVRs would include the rental of an entire house, secondary suite, garden suite, or carriage house.","The Town allows STVRs in zones where Resort Condominium is a permitted use.","(C2, C6, C8, C9, and CD1)"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Part 2, definition","quotes":["short-term vacation rental means the temporary rental (less than 30 consecutive days) of a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A Town business licence is required (a Bed and Breakfast licence is applied for each year). In resort-condominium zones the Town may issue an STVR business licence once the applicant confirms in writing that they meet Provincial requirements. No STVR-specific fee is stated.","short":"Yes; no STR fee stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"FAQ","quotes":["An application for a valid business license is required.","Subject to the applicant’s written confirmation that they comply with Provincial requirements"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/","title":"Bed & Breakfast Licence, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Preparing for Your Application","quotes":["Bed and Breakfast licences must be applied for each year"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Qualicum Beach is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies (as of June 1, 2026). Provincial registration is required for rentals under 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local licence is required; registration is per unit.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies","quotes":["Prince Rupert Qualicum Beach Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Electoral Area D","(as of June 1, 2026)","Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days","Each short-term rental unit requires its own registration number."]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"FAQ","quotes":["it is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm compliance with all Provincial Regulations, including the Principal Resident Requirement."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Short-term rentals of 30 days or less are limited to Bed and Breakfasts (owner lives in the dwelling; breakfast only before noon; at most one non-resident employee; room and guest limits by lot size; an ancillary dwelling unit cannot be part of the B&B) and to resort-condominium zones. A B&B needs a declaration, a Fire Department inspection and proof of primary residence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"s. 3.3 item 20","quotes":["the owner of the Bed and Breakfast business must reside in the dwelling","a maximum of one non-resident may be employed in the Bed and","breakfast is served before noon;","Less than 1400m2 2 4"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/","title":"Bed & Breakfast Licence, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Preparing for Your Application","quotes":["Make a Bed and Breakfast declaration (attached to the application).","Submit a Fire Department inspection application and fee.","Provide proof of Primary Residence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $200 for operating without a business licence and $100 for violating the Zoning Bylaw (the same in each zone). Tickets can be issued for each day the offence continues.","short":"Ticket $200 (no licence); $100 zoning","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"What are the Fines for Non-Compliance?","quotes":["The fine for failure to obtain a valid Business License in the Town of Qualicum Beach is $200.00 as per the Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, 2008.","The fine for failure to comply with zoning regulations in the Town of Qualicum Beach is $100.00","Tickets can be issued daily for each offense."]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Utilization%20Bylaw%20No.%20626%20(Consolidated%20up%20to%20Bylaw%20No.%20626.07).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"Schedule 4 s. 2; Schedule 7; s. 2(4)(a)","quotes":["No Business Licence                                2      $200.00","Permit or Cause Violation of Bylaw   1.2, 3.4.111     $100.00","may be imposed for each day that the offence continues."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 626, 2008","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"title","quotes":["Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900,"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"FAQ","quotes":["Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, 2008"]},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","section":"title","quotes":["Bylaw Bylaw No. 506.07- No. 506.07 - Business Licencing Licencing and and Regulation Regulation Bylaw Bylaw"]}],"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\nQualicum Beach's [Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf) does not permit short-term vacation rentals (under 30 consecutive days) in residential areas, except Bed and Breakfasts. A whole house, secondary suite, garden suite or carriage house cannot be rented short term. They are allowed in zones where Resort Condominium is a permitted use (C2, C6, C8, C9 and CD1) if the applicant confirms compliance with Provincial rules.\n\n**Bed and Breakfast rules:** the owner lives in the dwelling; breakfast is served only before noon; at most one non-resident employee; an ancillary dwelling unit cannot be part of the B&B. Limits: 2 rooms and 4 guests on lots under 1400 m²; 3 rooms and 6 guests at 1400 to 1800 m²; 4 rooms and 8 guests over 1800 m². A B&B needs a declaration, a Fire Department inspection and proof of primary residence.\n\n**Licences:** a Town business licence is required (a B&B licence is applied for each year). In resort-condominium zones the Town may issue a short-term rental licence once you confirm in writing that you meet Provincial requirements.\n\n**Province:** Qualicum Beach is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies. Provincial registration is required for rentals under 90 consecutive days, per unit, whether or not a local licence is required.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone (see zoning-lookup).\n2. If you are in a resort-condominium zone or running a B&B, apply for the Town business licence.\n3. Register with the Province.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fines: a municipal ticket is $200 for operating without a business licence and $100 for violating the Zoning Bylaw. Tickets can be issued for each day the offence continues.\n- The Town's page cites an old land use bylaw for the $100 fine; the current rules are in the Zoning Bylaw.\n- The Town plans to review short-term rental policy in 2027.","sources":[{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/town-services/licenses/bed-breakfast-licence/","title":"Bed & Breakfast Licence, Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024/Zoning%20Bylaw%2C%20Bylaw%20No.%20900%2C%202024%20(Combined%20Version).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Utilization%20Bylaw%20No.%20626%20(Consolidated%20up%20to%20Bylaw%20No.%20626.07).pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental.json"}}