{"title":"Tofino short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Tofino?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/tofino","name":"Tofino","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"housing-and-renting","name":"Housing and renting"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Tofino, yes with conditions. Short-term rental is allowed only in a caretaker's cottage, single-family dwelling or suite in one, on a lot where a Permanent Resident lives in the other unit. Limit 3 bedrooms and 6 guests. You need a District business licence and the Province's host registration.","aliases":["airbnb tofino","short term rental licence tofino","vacation rental tofino","str rules tofino"],"cost":"Business licence (Class 9-1): 2026, $535.30 for one sleeping unit plus $176.60 for each extra; 2027, $551.40 plus $181.90. A $77.90 processing fee (2026) also applies.","how_long":"Not stated. Renewals are due by December 31.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Short-term rental regulations","value":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/"},{"type":"phone","label":"District of Tofino","value":"250-725-3229"},{"type":"phone","label":"Provincial host registration (ServiceBC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"},{"type":"email","label":"Provincial short-term rental registry","value":"STRregistry@gov.bc.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino","url":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/"},{"title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF)","url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (PDF), s. 4.3.2","url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Tofino business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/business-licence/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Tofino home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Tofino secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/secondary-suite/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Tofino bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/ucluelet","name":"Ucluelet","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/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 conditions. Only in a caretaker's cottage, single-family dwelling or a suite within one, on a lot with two dwelling units where a Permanent Resident lives in the other unit. No more than 3 bedrooms and 6 guests.","short":"Yes, with conditions; lot with two dwelling units","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2","section":"s. 4.3.2(j)","quotes":["Short Term Rental use is only permitted in the following structures:","Caretaker’s Cottage, Single-Family Dwelling, or Secondary Suite","located within a Single-Family Dwelling;","Short Term Rental use is only permitted on a lot that contains two","dwelling units; and,"]},{"url":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino","section":"Understanding Short-Term Rentals in Tofino","quotes":["A Permanent Resident must live at the premises"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A business licence is required for each short-term rental premises. Fee (Class 9-1): 2026, $535.30 for one sleeping unit plus $176.60 for each extra sleeping unit; 2027, $551.40 plus $181.90. A $77.90 processing fee (2026) also applies.","short":"Yes, $535.30 plus $176.60 per extra unit (2026)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 3(1), Schedule A Class 9","quotes":["A person must not carry on any business within the District unless that person holds a valid and","Short Term Rental based on One (1) Sleeping Unit $519.70 $535.30 $551.40","Each Additional Sleeping Unit $171.40 $176.60 $181.90","Processing Fee $75.60 $77.90 $80.20"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. The District directs hosts to the Province's host registration. Provincial registration applies to rentals under 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local licence is needed. Tofino is on the Province's list of communities exempt from the principal residence requirement.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino","section":"Province of British Columbia’s Short-Term Rental Legislation","quotes":["Register as a host - Province of British Columbia"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"Exempt communities and land list","quotes":["Tahsis Tofino Trail","Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Max 3 bedrooms and 6 overnight guests (including children); a Permanent Resident on site, or a licensed property manager reachable within 2 hours; one off-street parking stall per room rented; licence number on all advertising; guests get the Respectful Neighbourliness Brochure.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 7.3","quotes":["permit more than three (3) bedrooms to be made available for bed and breakfast or Short-Term","permit more than six (6) overnight guests at one time at a bed and breakfast or Short-Term","display the business licence number on any marketing, advertisements, or promotions for the","can respond to concerns raised by guests, neighbours, or the License Inspector within 2 hours."]},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2","section":"s. 4.3.2(j)","quotes":["At least one off-street parking stall shall be provided for each room"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $500 for operating without a business licence ($400 if paid within 14 days); $500 for more than 6 guests, more than 3 sleeping units, or no onsite permanent resident (zoning). The bylaw also allows a court fine up to $10,000.","short":"Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026 (PDF)","section":"Amendment 1107.21 (effective Jan 20, 2026)","quotes":["No Business License 3(1) Yes $500 $400 $500 50%"]},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/","title":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/","section":"Schedule A, Zoning Bylaw","quotes":["More than 6 guests permitted in STR 4.3.2(j)(iii) No $500 $400 $500 n/a","No onsite permanent resident 4.3.2(j)(v) No $500 $400 $500 n/a"]},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 4(4)","quotes":["a fine not exceeding $10,000."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (s. 4.3.2) and Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (s. 7.3)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"Title","quotes":["District of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022"]},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2","section":"s. 4.3.2","quotes":["Regulations for Short Term Rental use:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nIn Tofino, short-term rental is allowed only in a caretaker's cottage, a single-family dwelling or a suite within one, on a lot with two dwelling units where a Permanent Resident lives in the other unit. Only one dwelling on a lot may be a short-term rental, and the use cannot be switched between dwellings in a calendar year. A bed and breakfast and a short-term rental cannot operate on the same lot at the same time. Some zones, such as AR1, exclude it, so check your zone. The rules are in [Zoning Bylaw No. 770](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/) s. 4.3.2 and [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/) s. 7.3.\n\nThe Province also requires host registration for rentals under 90 consecutive days, whether or not a local licence is needed. The Province's page lists Tofino as exempt from its principal residence requirement, but Tofino's own bylaws still require a Permanent Resident on site.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone and lot allow it.\n2. Apply for a short-term rental business licence through the District's portal, with a floor plan showing each bedroom and bed type and proof of a Permanent Resident.\n3. Register with the Province (1-833-828-2240 or STRregistry@gov.bc.ca).\n4. Put your licence number on all advertising.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Rules: at most 3 bedrooms and 6 overnight guests (including children); a Permanent Resident on site, or a licensed property manager reachable within 2 hours; one off-street parking stall per room rented, and at least one onsite space for the Permanent Resident; guests get the Respectful Neighbourliness Brochure; water conservation information displayed in Stages 1 to 3.\n- Bylaw notice fines: $500 for operating without a business licence ($400 if paid within 14 days); $500 for more than 6 guests, more than 3 sleeping units or no onsite permanent resident. The court fine can be up to $10,000.\n- The District's municipal ticket schedule lists $1,000 for contravening permitted uses under the Zoning Bylaw, and still cites the old Business Licence Bylaw 858.\n- Credit card payments carry a 2.5% surcharge. Fees rise 3% a year.","sources":[{"url":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/","title":"Business Licensing, District of Tofino","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/","title":"Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/","title":"Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/","title":"https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/tofino/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/short-term-rental.json"}}