{"title":"Sechelt short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Sechelt?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"housing-and-renting","name":"Housing and renting"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Sechelt","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca"},"short_answer":"In Sechelt you can rent short-term only if you live on the property during guest stays and hold a District business licence. Type 1 covers up to three bedrooms in your home ($500 a year); Type 2 covers a self-contained suite ($900 a year). A one-time $200 application fee applies.","aliases":["airbnb sechelt","short term rental licence sechelt","vacation rental sechelt","str licence sechelt"],"cost":"One-time application fee $200 (new applicants). Annual licence: Type 1 $500; Type 2 $900.","how_long":"Not stated on the pages read. Licences run January 1 to December 31; renewals are due by January 31.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","value":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"2nd Floor, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0","note":"9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (days of the week not stated on the page)"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement","value":"604-885-1986 ext. 2"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/"},{"title":"STR Operator's Guide (PDF)","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF)","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Sechelt business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Sechelt secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Sechelt zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Sechelt bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/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, with limits. The operator must live on the property during guest stays. Type 1: up to three bedrooms in the principal residence. Type 2: self-contained suites on that property; zoning and the District's page allow up to two, but Bylaw 520 Schedule B and the fee schedule say a maximum of one. Un-hosted secondary residences are not permitted. Sechelt is on the Province's principal residence requirement list.","short":"Yes, with limits; operator lives on property","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/","title":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Short-Term Rental Licences","quotes":["District of Sechelt and Provincial regulations require all STRs to have a principle resident operator.","Un-hosted secondary residence STRs are not permitted to operate."]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025)","section":"s. 2.8.1","quotes":["d) The Short-Term Rental of a Dwelling Unit is permitted year-round so long as the Short-Term Rental operator is living in the unit during the guest stay and is limited to no more than three bedrooms rented at a time.","e) Short-Term Rental is not permitted in a recreational vehicle, motor vehicle, tent, boat"]},{"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":"Communities with principal residence requirement","quotes":["Salt Spring Island Sechelt Sidney"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"Schedule B, s. 2","quotes":["the principal residence or external to the principal residence up to a maximum of","Hold more than two Short-term Rental business licences;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Provincial page (updated Sept 21, 2026; lists as of June 1, 2026): Sechelt is on 'Communities with principal residence requirement', not the exempt list. The Zoning Bylaw says renting more than two accessory units needs a Temporary Use Permit. The District's page says up to two Type 2 suites; the fee schedule and Bylaw 520 Schedule B say a maximum of one."},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. Every STR needs an annual District business licence. One-time application fee $200 (new applicants). Annual licence fee: Type 1 (rooms in a home) $500; Type 2 (self-contained suite) $900. The fee schedule reduces a licence issued after July 31 by 25%, but the District's page says pro-rating does not apply to STRs.","short":"Yes, $500 or $900 a year plus $200 application","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/","title":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Short-Term Rental Licences","quotes":["All STRs in the District of Sechelt must acquire an annual business licence to operate."]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-1-principal-residence/","title":"STR Type 1 Principal Residence, District of Sechelt","section":"Cost","quotes":["One-time application fee of $200","Short-term rental business licence fee of $500/ year."]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-2-self-contained-suite/","title":"STR Type 2 Self-Contained Suite, District of Sechelt","section":"Cost","quotes":["Short-term rental business licence fee of $900/ year."]},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["Short Term Rental Application location, owner or other licence particulars, for $200 Fee","*Short Term Rental Business Licence issued after July 31st in a calendar year for either Type 1 or Type 2 reduced by 25%"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences | District of Sechelt","section":"District of Sechelt Process","quotes":["Please note that pro-rated fees do not apply to short term rentals."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule M and Business Licence Bylaw s. 3.5 give a 25% reduction after July 31; the Business Licences page says pro-rated fees do not apply to STRs. Value follows the bylaws. Renewals: pay by January 31 or reapply."},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. District STR business licences are required in addition to Provincial registration.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/","title":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Short-Term Rental Licences","quotes":["District of Sechelt STR Business Licences are required in addition to Provincial registration."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Operator is an individual (not a company) who lives on site; strata approval if in a strata; one parking space per STR bedroom (maximum 3); licence number shown in every ad; emergency contact reachable 24 hours and on site within 1 hour; complaints resolved within 24 hours; smoke alarms, extinguishers and fire safety plan; sign no larger than 0.3 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025)","section":"s. 2.8.1(g)-(h), 3.12","quotes":["One parking stall per bedroom used for Short-Term Rental use is required.","except for a single sign not exceeding 0.3 m2 in area.","each bedroom used as Short-Term Rental, up to a maximum requirement of 3 spaces"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"Schedule B, s. 5","quotes":["Provide, post or display their Licence number in a conspicuous place in any online listing","the emergency contact person attends the Short-term Rental unit within 1 hour of being contacted by a guest or the District of Sechelt","any complaint about the operation is resolved within 24 hours of being contacted by the District of Sechelt;"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf","title":"STR Operator's Guide (PDF), District of Sechelt","section":"Who can operate an STR?","quotes":["Only individuals (not companies) are allowed to operate STRs in the District of Sechelt."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (Bylaw 515): $300 for breaking STR zoning conditions, having no STR licence under zoning s. 2.8.1(j) or not showing the licence number in ads; $250 for no business licence (Bylaw 520 s. 3.1); $500 for breaking Schedule B terms. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 491): $2,000 without a valid licence; $1,000 if an STR operator fails Schedule B.","short":"Notice $250 to $500; ticket $1,000 to $2,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Appendix 2","quotes":["2. Carrying on business without valid license 3.1.2 $2,000.00","4. A Short-Term Rental Operator fails to: Scheule B $1,000.00"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A (Bylaw 580)","quotes":["Not holding a valid business licence $300","Failure to display a valid business licence $300","Operating a short-term rental that does $300","No business Licence $250 Yes","Not complying with terms and conditions $500 Yes","Short Term Rental contrary to bylaw $300 Yes"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (Schedule B); Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022, s. 2.8; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019, Schedule M","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"Schedule B","quotes":["Short-Term Rental Licence Terms and Conditions"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025)","section":"s. 2.8","quotes":["2.6 Shipping Containers ................................................................................................................ 78 2.7 Home Business ........................................................................................................................ 79 2.8 Short-Term Rental ................................................................................................................... 79 2.9 Urban Agriculture.................................................................................................................... 80 2.10 Calculating Height and Grade ................................................................................................. 81","DISTRICT OF SECHELT | ZONING BYLAW Schedule A to Bylaw No. 580, 2022 PAGE | i"]},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["SCHEDULE M: BUSINESS LICENCING"]}],"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\nThe District of Sechelt allows short-term rentals (STRs) with limits. The operator must live on the property during guest stays, and un-hosted secondary residences are not permitted. Sechelt is on the Province's principal residence requirement list.\n\n- **Type 1:** up to three bedrooms in your principal residence.\n- **Type 2:** a self-contained suite on that property. The zoning bylaw and the District's page allow up to two suites; [Business Licence Bylaw 520](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf) Schedule B and the fee schedule say a maximum of one. Confirm with the District.\n\nEvery STR needs an annual District business licence, in addition to Provincial registration.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Read the STR Operator's Guide and the page for your type.\n2. Apply for the STR business licence and pay the $200 one-time application fee.\n3. Pay the annual licence fee: $500 (Type 1) or $900 (Type 2).\n4. Show your licence number in every ad.\n5. Renew by January 31 or reapply.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Rules: the operator is an individual (not a company) who lives on site; strata approval if in a strata; one parking space per STR bedroom (maximum 3); an emergency contact reachable 24 hours and on site within 1 hour; complaints resolved within 24 hours; smoke alarms, extinguishers and a fire safety plan; sign no larger than 0.3 m². Maximum three bedrooms rented at a time.\n- Quiet hours in the Operator's Guide: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. (Monday to Saturday) and 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Sunday and holidays).\n- The fee schedule reduces a licence issued after July 31 by 25%, but the District's page says pro-rating does not apply to STRs. Ask the District.\n- Renting more than two accessory units needs a Temporary Use Permit under the Zoning Bylaw.\n- Fines: a bylaw notice (Bylaw 515) is $300 for breaking STR zoning conditions, having no STR licence under zoning s. 2.8.1(j) or not showing the licence number in ads; $250 for no business licence; $500 for breaking Schedule B terms. A municipal ticket (Bylaw 491) is $2,000 without a valid licence, or $1,000 if an operator fails Schedule B. Bylaw notices must be paid or disputed within 14 days.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/","title":"Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-1-principal-residence/","title":"STR Type 1 Principal Residence, District of Sechelt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-2-self-contained-suite/","title":"STR Type 2 Self-Contained Suite, District of Sechelt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf","title":"STR Operator's Guide (PDF), District of Sechelt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF)","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"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences | District of Sechelt","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/sechelt/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental.json"}}