---
title: Sechelt short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Sechelt?"
place: Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sechelt
category: Housing and renting
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Sechelt
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental.json"
---

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

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Sechelt, https://www.sechelt.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt, https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/
- In person: Municipal Hall, 2nd Floor, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (days of the week not stated on the page))
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 604-885-1986 ext. 2

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Licences](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), s. 2.8.1](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Communities with principal residence requirement](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Salt Spring Island Sechelt Sidney"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), Schedule B, s. 2](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the principal residence or external to the principal residence up to a maximum of" … "Hold more than two Short-term Rental business licences;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Licences](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/)
  - Official wording: "All STRs in the District of Sechelt must acquire an annual business licence to operate."
  - Source: [STR Type 1 Principal Residence, Cost](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-1-principal-residence/)
  - Official wording: "One-time application fee of $200" … "Short-term rental business licence fee of $500/ year."
  - Source: [STR Type 2 Self-Contained Suite, Cost](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-2-self-contained-suite/)
  - Official wording: "Short-term rental business licence fee of $900/ year."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule M](https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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%"
  - Source: [Business Licences | District of Sechelt, District of Sechelt Process](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Please note that pro-rated fees do not apply to short term rentals."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. District STR business licences are required in addition to Provincial registration.
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Licences](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/)
  - Official wording: "District of Sechelt STR Business Licences are required in addition to Provincial registration."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), s. 2.8.1(g)-(h), 3.12](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), Schedule B, s. 5](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [STR Operator's Guide, Who can operate an STR?](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Only individuals (not companies) are allowed to operate STRs in the District of Sechelt."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Appendix 2](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012, Schedule A (Bylaw 580)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), Schedule B](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short-Term Rental Licence Terms and Conditions"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), s. 2.8](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule M](https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE M: BUSINESS LICENCING"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

- **Type 1:** up to three bedrooms in your principal residence.
- **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.

Every STR needs an annual District business licence, in addition to Provincial registration.

## Steps

1. Read the STR Operator's Guide and the page for your type.
2. Apply for the STR business licence and pay the $200 one-time application fee.
3. Pay the annual licence fee: $500 (Type 1) or $900 (Type 2).
4. Show your licence number in every ad.
5. Renew by January 31 or reapply.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Renting more than two accessory units needs a Temporary Use Permit under the Zoning Bylaw.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/)
- [STR Operator's Guide (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Sechelt business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence.md)
- [Sechelt secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sechelt zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Sechelt bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/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)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/short-term-rental.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/short-term-rental.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/short-term-rental.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Short-Term Rental Licences, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [STR Type 1 Principal Residence, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-1-principal-residence/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [STR Type 2 Self-Contained Suite, District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/planning-and-development/short-term-rental-licences/str-type-2-self-contained-suite/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [STR Operator's Guide (PDF), District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/h45n3nbq/str_operators_guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/rdjpiexj/580-2022-zoning-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)](https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Short-term rentals, principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licences | District of Sechelt](https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Sechelt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental/_