---
title: Rossland short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Rossland?"
place: Rossland, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/rossland
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/short-term-rental.json"
---

# Rossland short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in some cases. In Rossland you need a City business licence and provincial registration. A residential short-term rental is allowed only in your principal residence, a single detached home in the RR, R-1 or CD-5 zone, while you are present. Fees are $400 plus a $150 inspection.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Business Licence Bylaw 2801, Schedule B: residential short-term rental $400 licence plus $150 inspection; commercial short-term rental $800 plus $150 inspection.  
**How long:** Not stated on the City's pages. Licences run January 1 to December 31.  
**Where:**
- Online: Short-term rental application and forms (CivicWeb), https://rossland.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37858/
- Online: Provincial short-term rental registry, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry
- In person: City Hall, 1920 Third Avenue, Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Phone: City Hall, 250-362-7396

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, in two categories. Residential STR: only in a principal residence that is a single detached dwelling (RR, R-1 and CD-5 zones), only while the principal resident is present, one per lot, not on a lot with a secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, home occupation, childcare facility or bed and breakfast. Commercial STR: R-3, C-1, C-3, C-4, R-GH, R-GS and some CD zones. Rossland is on the Province's exempt list for its principal-residence rule. (Sources differ: Conflict: the City's Short Term Rentals page says a residential STR "May occur in the principal residence for up to 3 months a year when the principal resident is away", but Zoning Bylaw s. 4.1.6(a)(1) says the principal resident must be present anytime the use is occurring (bylaw followed). Also the bylaw says no residential STR where "a Secondary Suite and an Accessory Dwelling Unit exists" while the definition and the City page say no STR with a secondary suite or a detached suite. Rossland appears on the Province's "List of exempt communities" (page updated Sept 21, 2026; lists as of June 1, 2026), so the provincial principal-residence requirement does not apply, but the City's own principal-residence rule does. Commercial STR is permitted in zones including R-3, C-1, C-3, C-4, R-GH and R-GS and some CD zones (s. 4.1.7); the May 2024 grandfathering zones are R-GH and R-GS.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, s. 4.1.6(a)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "Must only occur in a Principal Residence as an Accessory Use and the principal resident must be present anytime the Short Term Rental - Residential use is occurring." … "Is only permitted within Single Detached Dwelling;" … "Is not to exceed one Residential Short-Term Rental per Lot;" … "Is not permitted on a Lot where a Childcare Facility, Home Occupation; or Bed and Breakfast use is operating." … "A Residential Short-Term Rental shall be permitted subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.6."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, s. 8.3 (R-1) 2; s. 8.1 (RR) 2](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "g) Residential Short-Term Rental"
  - Source: [Short Term Rentals](https://rossland.ca/short-term-rentals/)
  - Official wording: "Commercial short term rentals can occur in the Red Mountain area, parts of Redstone and the commercially zoned properties in the Downtown core." … "May occur in the principal residence for up to 3 months a year when the principal resident is away"
  - Source: [Short-term rental 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: "Radium Hot Springs Rossland Salmo"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A City business licence is required to operate or advertise any short-term rental. Fees: residential STR $400 licence plus $150 inspection; commercial STR $800 plus $150 inspection. Licences run January 1 to December 31.
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, s. 12.8, 12.9](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "No person shall operate a Short-Term Rental (Commercial or Residential) without a valid and subsisting local business licence issued by the City of Rossland." … "No person shall offer or advertise a Short-Term Rental (Commercial or Residential) without a valid local business licence"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, Schedule B](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "Residential Short-Term Rental $150 $400" … "Commercial Short-Term Rental $150 $800"
  - Source: [Short Term Rentals](https://rossland.ca/short-term-rentals/)
  - Official wording: "Inspection | Licence Fee" … "Short-Term Rental | $150 | $400"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. The Province requires registration of short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, in addition to the City licence. The City requires the provincial number in every ad and in the notice inside the unit. Rossland is on the Province's exempt list for the principal-residence rule only.
  - Source: [Short Term Rentals](https://rossland.ca/short-term-rentals/)
  - Official wording: "All short term rentals are required to be registered with the Province."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, s. 12.16](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "a) Business licence number; b) Provincial Registration Number; c) Maximum permitted guest-occupancy of the unit pursuant to the Zoning Bylaw;"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, s. 12.21](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "all Short-Term Rentals must comply with the requirements of any Provincial regulations."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Residential STR: max 3 sleeping units and 6 guests; commercial: max 4 and 8. Every licence applicant needs a local contact available 24/7 with a 15-minute phone reply. Ads and an in-unit notice show licence and provincial numbers, capacity and parking. Parking stalls clear by 10 a.m.; safety inspection. Parking is 1 space per sleeping unit, on top of the home's own parking. (Sources differ: Other zoning rules: one sign of no more than 0.5 m²; must not change the residential character of the dwelling; no nuisance; STR not allowed in RVs, vehicles, tents or boats; Temporary Use Permits not considered. The City's FAQ gives 1 parking space per room plus 2 for the main home; Table 5-1 reads 1 space per sleeping unit for a residential STR (and 1 per dwelling unit for the home), so the table is followed. Bylaw s. 12.12: one residential STR licence per lot; s. 12.13: operator must be the principal resident.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, s. 4.1.6(a)(10), 4.1.7(a)(4), (6)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "maximum of three Sleeping Units within any Dwelling Unit and a maximum of 6 guests within any Dwelling Unit at any one time" … "maximum of four Sleeping Units within any Dwelling Unit and a maximum of 8 guests within any Dwelling Unit at any one time" … "Must provide contact information for one local contact as the individual available on a 24/7 basis" … "respond within fifteen minutes to any telephone enquiries regarding the Short-Term Rental"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, Table 5-1](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "Residential Short-Term Rental 1 space per Sleeping Unit" … "Each Accommodation Unit must have 1 dedicated parking stall"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, s. 12.16, 12.17, 12.18](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "Business licence number;" … "Short-Term Rentals are subject to a safety inspection by a Licence Inspector." … "clear of any debris, unlicensed vehicles or snow by 10 am each day" … "Contact information for one (1) or two (2) local contacts, who may be the applicant, as the individual(s) available on a 24/7 basis during the use of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Operating or advertising a short-term rental without a valid licence: $500 ($250 if paid early, within 14 days). Failing to meet operating conditions (capacity, parking, posted information): $500 ($250 early). Zoning Bylaw: unauthorized STR use or failing STR requirements: $500.
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, Schedule C](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "Operating a Short-Term Rental (Commercial or 12.8 $500 $250 Residential) without a valid business licence" … "Advertising a Short-Term Rental (Commercial or 12.9 $500 $250 Residential) without a valid business license" … "(Paid within 14 days)"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, Schedule B: Enforcement Fee Schedule](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "Unauthorized Short-Term Rental (STR) Use 4.1.6 & 4.1.7 $500.00 $500.00" … "Failure to Comply with STR Use Requirements 4.1.6 & 4.1.7 $500.00 $500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Rossland Business Licence Bylaw No. 2801, 2024 (Part 5, s. 12.8 to 12.21, Schedules B and C); Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (ss. 4.1.6, 4.1.7)
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024, s. 1.1](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as City of Rossland "Business Licence Bylaw 2801, 2024"."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026, s. 1 (short title)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as the "City of Rossland Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026.""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Rossland's [Zoning Bylaw 2864](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924) allows two kinds of short-term rental (STR). A **residential STR** is allowed only in a principal residence that is a single detached dwelling (RR, R-1 and CD-5 zones), only while the principal resident is present, one per lot. It is not allowed on a lot with a secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, home occupation, childcare facility or bed and breakfast. A **commercial STR** is allowed in R-3, C-1, C-3, C-4, R-GH, R-GS and some CD zones.

Rossland is on the Province's exempt list for its principal-residence rule, but the City's own principal-residence rule still applies.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and that the rules above fit your home.
2. Apply for a City business licence under the [Business Licence Bylaw 2801](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323). Provide proof of ownership, proof of primary residence, a guest safety attestation and fire safety plan, and proof of parking and zoning.
3. Name a local contact available 24/7 who answers the phone within 15 minutes. Every licence needs one.
4. Pay the licence fee and the inspection fee, and pass the safety inspection.
5. Register with the Province (required for stays under 90 days). Put the provincial number and licence number in every ad and in the notice inside the unit.

## Good to know

- Limits: residential STR, 3 sleeping units and 6 guests; commercial, 4 and 8. Parking is 1 space per sleeping unit, on top of the home's own parking, and parking stalls must clear by 10 a.m.
- The City's Short Term Rentals page says a residential STR may run up to 3 months a year while the resident is away. The bylaw says the resident must be present at all times. Confirm with the City.
- The bylaw wording on suites differs: it says no STR where "a Secondary Suite and an Accessory Dwelling Unit exists", while the definition and the City page say a suite or a detached suite rules it out. Ask the City.
- The City's FAQ gives different parking numbers from the bylaw's table; the table is followed here.
- No STR in an RV, vehicle, tent or boat. One sign up to 0.5 m².
- Operating or advertising without a valid licence is a $500 bylaw notice ($250 if paid within 14 days). Failing to meet operating conditions is also $500 ($250 early). A Zoning Bylaw offence is $500.

## What you'll need

- Proof of ownership
- Proof of principal residence for a residential rental
- Proof of parking and zoning
- Signed guest safety attestation and fire safety plan
- A local contact available 24/7

## Official forms and pages

- [Short Term Rental application and forms](https://rossland.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/37858/)
- [Short Term Rental FAQ sheet (PDF)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/43242)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 2801, 2024 (PDF)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2864, 2026 (PDF)](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924)

## Related questions

- [Rossland business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/business-licence.md)
- [Rossland secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Rossland zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Rossland bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/short-term-rental.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/short-term-rental.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/short-term-rental.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/short-term-rental.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/short-term-rental.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Business License Bylaw No. 2801, 2024 (PDF), City of Rossland](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/38323) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2864, 2026 (PDF), City of Rossland](https://rossland.civicweb.net/document/55924) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short Term Rentals, City of Rossland](https://rossland.ca/short-term-rentals/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-05)

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