Qualicum Beach short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Qualicum Beach?

Qualicum Beach, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Allowed	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-Term Rental Accommodations; Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), Part 2, definition · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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) short-term vacation rental means the temporary rental (less than 30 consecutive days) of a
Business licence	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-Term Rental Accommodations, FAQ; Bed & Breakfast Licence, Preparing for Your Application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording An application for a valid business license is required. Subject to the applicant’s written confirmation that they comply with Provincial requirements Bed and Breakfast licences must be applied for each year
Provincial registration	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.Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC, List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies; Short-Term Rental Accommodations, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. it is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm compliance with all Provincial Regulations, including the Principal Resident Requirement.
Operating rules	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.Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), s. 3.3 item 20; Bed & Breakfast Licence, Preparing for Your Application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Make a Bed and Breakfast declaration (attached to the application). Submit a Fire Department inspection application and fee. Provide proof of Primary Residence.
Fine	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-Term Rental Accommodations, What are the Fines for Non-Compliance?; Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, Schedule 4 s. 2; Schedule 7; s. 2(4)(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. 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.
Bylaw	Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 626, 2008Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version), title; Short-Term Rental Accommodations, FAQ; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Town of Qualicum Beach Zoning Bylaw No. 900, Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, 2008 Bylaw Bylaw No. 506.07- No. 506.07 - Business Licencing Licencing and and Regulation Regulation Bylaw Bylaw

How it works

Qualicum Beach's Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 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.

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.

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.

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.

Steps

Check your zone (see zoning-lookup).
If you are in a resort-condominium zone or running a B&B, apply for the Town business licence.
Register with the Province.

Good to know

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.
The Town's page cites an old land use bylaw for the $100 fine; the current rules are in the Zoning Bylaw.
The Town plans to review short-term rental policy in 2027.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Parksville · Lantzville · Port Alberni · Nanaimo · Sechelt · Comox

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

Sources

Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Bed & Breakfast Licence, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2024 (Combined Version) (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC (read 2026-11-06)

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.