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

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

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

**Short answer:** In Summerland you can run a short-term rental only in an allowed zone, as the person living there, with a District business licence ($500 a year) and Provincial registration. Limits: 4 bedrooms, 8 guests, one extra parking stall. The Province's principal-residence rule applies here.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Short-term rental business licence $500 a year (50% if applied for after July 31). Provincial registration fees also apply; see the Province's page.  
**How long:** The District's pages do not state a timeline. An inspection and a good neighbour agreement are required before the licence.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licence applications, business@summerland.ca
- Phone: Short-term rental licensing questions, 250-494-6451 ext. 3
- In person: Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 (Tuesday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Provincial short-term rental registry (ServiceBC), 1-833-828-2240

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, as an accessory use in RU1, RU2, RU3, RMD, CR1, A1 and A2 (and the CD9 zone's NeighbourWood, Hillside and Mixed Density sub-areas), on a lot or strata unit with a Primary Residence, run by the person living there. One dwelling per lot; listed dwelling types only; not on agricultural land with a licenced Agri-Tourism Accommodation. (Sources differ: The District page lists RU1, RU2, RU3, RMD, CR1, A1 and A2; the bylaw's CD9 zone (s. 15.9) also lists Short Term Rental, so the page list is not complete. Not allowed on agricultural property that already has a licensed Agri-Tourism Accommodation (s. 7.2.1(c)). 'Short-term' means under 90 consecutive days.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026 (s. 7.2), s. 7.2.1(a), (b), (d), (f)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "only one (1) Dwelling on a Lot or a Strata Unit may be used or occupied for Short-" … "a Short-Term Rental use is only permitted on a Lot or a Strata Unit with a Primary Residence." … "the Short-Term Rental shall be operated by a person residing in and occupying the" … "a Short-Term Rental use is not permitted on an agricultural property with a licenced Agri-Tourism Accommodation use already in place."
  - Source: [Short Term Rental Regulation, Short Term Rental Regulation page (Zoning Requirement Summary)](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/planning-development/short-term-rental-regulation)
  - Official wording: "Short term rentals are allowed in the following zones:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A business licence is required to operate and advertise a short-term rental. Fee: $500 a year (50% if applied for after July 31). An inspection and a good neighbour agreement are required first.
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Business Licence, Short-Term Rental Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/short-term-rental-business-licence)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required to operate and advertise a short term rental in Summerland." … "An inspection is required to obtain a business licence."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule F, Schedule F (Business Licence Fees)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short Term Rental $500" … "if a license is applied for after July 31 of a year, the licence fee"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, s. 20, s. 20.1](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The signing of a Good Neighbour agreement by the person or individual"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. The Province requires short-term rental hosts and platforms to register and pay annual registration fees. Summerland is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.
  - Source: [Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia, Province: Short-term rentals page](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals)
  - Official wording: "Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees."
  - Source: [Communities with the principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies" … "Squamish Summerland Surrey"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** At most 4 bedrooms and 8 guests; no kitchen in a bedroom used for rental; one extra on-site parking stall; operator reachable 24 hours a day while the rental is rented and must respond to a complaint within 2 hours; licence number in all advertising.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026 (s. 7.2), s. 7.2.1(i), (j); s. 6.1 parking table](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the maximum number of Short-Term Rental guests shall be eight (8); and" … "a Bedroom that includes a Kitchen must not be used for Short-Term Rentals." … "1 stall in addition to parking"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, s. 20, s. 20.2](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Respond to any nuisance complaint registered with the District within 2 hours" … "Be available for contact 24 hours a day" … "Include the District of Summerland Business Licence number in all advertising" … "Be available for contact 24 hours a day during periods when the short term rental is rented."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: operating without a licence $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days; $500 late); unlawful conduct of a short-term rental (zoning s. 7.2) $500. Municipal ticket: operating without a licence $3,000; unlawful conduct (zoning s. 7.2) $3,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (Business Licence; Zoning)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operate short term rental business without a 2 $500.00 $450.00 $500.00 Yes" … "Unlawful Conduct of a Short-term Rental 7.2 $500.00 450.00 500.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 95-030, MTI Bylaw 95-030, Schedule 3 (Business Licence); Schedule 16 (Zoning)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operate short term rental business without a licence 2 $3000.00" … "Unlawful Conduct of a Short-term Rental 7.2 $3000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 2000-450, s. 7.2; Business Licencing Bylaw No. 95-004, s. 20; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 98-001, Schedule F
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A, consolidated to March 3, 2026 (s. 7.2)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Summerland Zoning Bylaw 2000-450"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, s. 20](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 95-004 Consolidated to February 28, 2022"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule F](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "F" BUSINESS LICENCE FEES Unless otherwise indicated, the Licence Fee is for a Twelve Month Period Commencing" … "2 For licences that are issued for a 12 month period, if a license is applied for after July 31 of a year, the licence fee for that first year shall be pro-rated 50% of the subjected licence fee (s. 4 of Business Licensing Bylaw 95-004). 3 An inter-community licence fee is an additional fee that is charged to allow a business to operate within the" … "THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF SUMMERLAND BYLAW NUMBER 98-001 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE TO INCLUDE BYLAWS:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) (s. 7.2), a short-term rental (under 90 consecutive days) is allowed in the District of Summerland as an accessory use in zones RU1, RU2, RU3, RMD, CR1, A1 and A2, and in the CD9 NeighbourWood, Hillside and Mixed Density sub-areas. It must be on a lot or strata unit with a primary residence and run by the person living there, with one dwelling per lot, in the listed dwelling types only. It is not allowed on agricultural land that has a licensed Agri-Tourism Accommodation.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone allows it (see zoning-lookup).
2. Register with the Province of BC and get your registration number. Summerland is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies.
3. Apply for a short-term rental business licence ($500 a year; 50% if applied for after July 31).
4. Arrange the required inspection and good neighbour agreement before the licence is issued.

## Good to know

- Rules: at most 4 bedrooms and 8 guests; no kitchen in a bedroom used for rental; one extra on-site parking stall; licence number in all advertising.
- The operator must be reachable 24 hours a day while the rental is rented and must respond to a complaint within 2 hours.
- Fines for operating without a licence or breaking the zoning rules: a bylaw notice is $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $3,000.
- The District's page lists fewer zones than the bylaw (it omits CD9). The bylaw governs; confirm with the District.

## Official forms and pages

- [Short Term Rental Business Licence](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/short-term-rental-business-licence)
- [Short Term Rental Regulation](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/planning-development/short-term-rental-regulation)
- [Province of BC short-term rentals](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals)

## Related questions

- [Summerland secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Summerland business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/business-licence.md)
- [Summerland noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/noise-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/short-term-rental.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/short-term-rental.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/short-term-rental.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/short-term-rental.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Short Term Rental Regulation, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/planning-building/planning-development/short-term-rental-regulation) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-Term Rental Business Licence, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/short-term-rental-business-licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2000-450, Schedule A (PDF), consolidated to March 3, 2026 (s. 7.2)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/city-services/emergency-response/2026-bald-range-wildfire/schedule-%27a%27---consolidated-to-march-3-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004 (PDF), s. 20](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001 (PDF), Schedule F](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 95-030 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Communities with the principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/short-term-rental/_