---
title: Tofino short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Tofino?"
place: Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/tofino
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/short-term-rental.json"
---

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

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**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:**
- Online: Short-term rental regulations, https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/
- Phone: District of Tofino, 250-725-3229
- Phone: Provincial host registration (ServiceBC), 1-833-828-2240
- Email: Provincial short-term rental registry, STRregistry@gov.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2, s. 4.3.2(j)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)
  - Official wording: "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,"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Understanding Short-Term Rentals in Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/)
  - Official wording: "A Permanent Resident must live at the premises"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated), s. 3(1), Schedule A Class 9](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Provincial registration:** 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.
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Province of British Columbia’s Short-Term Rental Legislation](https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/)
  - Official wording: "Register as a host - Province of British Columbia"
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of BC, Exempt communities and land list](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Tahsis Tofino Trail" … "Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Operating rules:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated), s. 7.3](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2, s. 4.3.2(j)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)
  - Official wording: "At least one off-street parking stall shall be provided for each room"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026, Amendment 1107.21 (effective Jan 20, 2026)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/)
  - Official wording: "No Business License 3(1) Yes $500 $400 $500 50%"
  - Source: [https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/, Schedule A, Zoning Bylaw](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated), s. 4(4)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "a fine not exceeding $10,000."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (s. 4.3.2) and Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (s. 7.3)
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated), Title](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "District of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)
  - Official wording: "Regulations for Short Term Rental use:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

In 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.

The 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.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and lot allow it.
2. 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.
3. Register with the Province (1-833-828-2240 or STRregistry@gov.bc.ca).
4. Put your licence number on all advertising.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Credit card payments carry a 2.5% surcharge. Fees rise 3% a year.

## Official forms and pages

- [Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/)
- [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (PDF), s. 4.3.2](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/)

## Related questions

- [Tofino business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/business-licence.md)
- [Tofino home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/home-based-business.md)
- [Tofino secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/secondary-suite.md)
- [Tofino bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/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)
- [Ucluelet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/short-term-rental.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/short-term-rental.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/short-term-rental.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Short-Term Rental Regulations, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/short-term-rental-regulations/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4.3.2](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/157800/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163658/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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/tofino/short-term-rental/_