{"title":"Trail short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Trail?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/trail","name":"Trail","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 the City of Trail, short-term rentals (under four consecutive weeks) are allowed only in the R1 and R3 residential zones, and only after Council approves a rezoning for the property. You also need a City business licence and must register with the Province.","aliases":["airbnb trail bc","vrbo trail","bed and breakfast trail","rent a room short term trail"],"cost":"City licence: the fee schedule has no short-term rental line; the general rate is $90 a year. Provincial registration: $100 a year for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licence Inspector","value":"250-364-0833"},{"type":"phone","label":"Manager of Planning and Climate Action","value":"250-364-0864"},{"type":"phone","label":"Province of BC short-term rental registry (Service BC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences (City of Trail)","url":"https://www.trail.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-trail/business-licences/"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF)","url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002 (PDF)","url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Short-term rental registration (Province of BC)","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Trail business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/business-licence/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Trail home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"secondary-suite","title":"Trail secondary suite and carriage house rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/secondary-suite/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/warfield","name":"Warfield","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/rossland","name":"Rossland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/montrose","name":"Montrose","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/salmo","name":"Salmo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/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":"Only in the R1 and R3 residential zones, and only after Council approves a rezoning for the property (it then becomes R1A or R3A). A few named properties are also listed in the zone sections. A short-term rental is a rental of under four consecutive weeks. An owner who lives outside Greater Trail must name a local contact.","short":"Only in R1, R3 after Council approves rezoning","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 3(15)(a)","quotes":["Short term rental accommodations will be permitted in the following zones:","Requests to establish a short term rental accommodation shall be submitted to Council as an","application for rezoning.","Properties where short-term rental is approved shall be assigned an “A” after the Zone Short"]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 1(2)","quotes":["means the rental of a dwelling unit on a daily, weekly or","other short term basis for less than four (4) consecutive weeks;"]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"ss. 6(8), 7(9)(a)","quotes":["the following properties may also have short-term rental accommodation:","also have short-term rental accommodation:"]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 3(15)(b)(v)","quotes":["If the owner does not reside in the","Greater Trail area, the name, address and telephone number of a local contact"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","section":"List of exempt communities (Province, updated Sept 21, 2026; lists as of June 1, 2026)","quotes":["List of exempt communities and land where the principal residence requirement does not apply","Tofino Trail Tumbler Ridge"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. The owner must get a City of Trail business licence before starting and display it in the dwelling. The fee schedule has no short-term rental line: the general rate for businesses not listed is $90 a year, and Hotel/Motel is $5 per room.","short":"Yes; no STR line ($90 a year general rate)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 3(15)(b)(vii)","quotes":["The owner of the short term rental accommodation shall obtain a City of Trail Business","be prominently displayed in the dwelling."]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["All businesses except those listed elsewhere in this Schedule $90.00","Hotel/Motel $5.00 per room plus"]},{"url":"https://www.trail.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-trail/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, City of Trail","section":"Other information","quotes":["Hotels, motels, long/short term rentals only."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. Short-term rental hosts in B.C. must register with the Province and pay annual registration fees: $100 a year for the host's principal residence and $450 a year for a secondary unit such as a separate suite or cottage.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia","section":"Registration overview","quotes":["Hosts, platforms, and strata hotel platforms operating in B.C. must follow a simple online process to register with the Province."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","section":"Principal residence requirement and registration fees","quotes":["The unit the host lives in is their principal residence. The guests have access to the host's space (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room). Fee: $100 annually This includes:","Any accommodation that is separate from the home where the host lives, sleeps, and eats is considered a secondary unit, even if it is located on the same property or connected by an interior door. Guests stay in their own private space and do not have access to the host's bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. Fee: $450 annually This includes:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"At most 2 sleeping rooms and 2 people per sleeping room; 1 off-street parking space per sleeping room; no outside sign of the rental except a permitted sign and parking. One non-illuminated fascia sign up to 0.5 m² with the owner's (or local contact's) name, address and phone. Owner or contact details and the licence displayed inside. No owning more than 2 operations within 100 m.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 3(15)(b)(i)-(ix)","quotes":["No more than 2 sleeping rooms are permitted in a short term rental","No more than 2 persons may occupy a sleeping room.","One off street parking space is required for each sleeping room.","non-illuminated fascia sign attached to the dwelling to a maximum size of 0.5","must be prominently displayed in the dwelling.","is prohibited from owning more than 2 operations within","100 m (328 ft.) of each other."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"No ticket amount found. Breaking the Zoning Bylaw or Business Licence Bylaw is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to $2,000 under either bylaw; each day is a separate offence.","short":"No ticket; up to $2,000 in court","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"s. 2(4)","quotes":["to a fine or penalty not exceeding two thousand dollars","A separate offence shall be deemed to be committed on each day on which an"]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002 (PDF)","section":"s. 5(1)","quotes":["be liable to a penalty of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (s. 3(15)); City of Trail Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","section":"Title page","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW NO. 2503, 2002"]},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002 (PDF)","section":"Title page","quotes":["BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 2505, 2002"]}],"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\nUnder the City of Trail's [Zoning Bylaw](https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf), a short-term rental (a rental of under four consecutive weeks) is allowed only in the R1 and R3 zones, and only after Council approves a rezoning for the property (it then becomes R1A or R3A). A few named properties are also listed in the zone sections. An owner who lives outside Greater Trail must name a local contact.\n\nThe Province's short-term rental rules also apply. Trail is on the Province's list of exempt communities (updated September 21, 2026, with lists as of June 1, 2026), so the provincial principal-residence requirement does not apply here. The Zoning Bylaw has no principal-residence rule either. Bed and breakfasts (up to 2 guest rooms, meal served before noon) are a separate use in R1 and R3.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone (see zoning-lookup). If you are in R1 or R3, ask Planning about the rezoning process.\n2. Get a City of Trail business licence before you start, and display it inside the dwelling.\n3. Register with the Province and pay the annual fee: $100 for your principal residence, $450 for a secondary unit such as a separate suite or cottage.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Zoning limits: at most 2 sleeping rooms and 2 people per sleeping room; 1 off-street parking space per sleeping room; no outside sign of the rental except a permitted sign and parking.\n- One non-illuminated fascia sign up to 0.5 m2 is allowed, with the owner's (or local contact's) name, address and phone. You may not own more than 2 operations within 100 m.\n- The business licence fee schedule has no short-term rental line. The general rate for businesses not listed is $90 a year, and Hotel/Motel is $5 per room. Ask the Business Licence Inspector which applies.\n- Trail has no bylaw notice or municipal ticket schedule for these bylaws that we found. Breaking the Zoning Bylaw or the Business Licence Bylaw is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of up to $2,000 under either bylaw, and each day is a separate offence.","sources":[{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zoning-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Zoning Bylaw No. 2503, 2002 (PDF), sections 1(2), 2(4), 3(14), 3(15)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://trail.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf","title":"City of Trail Business Licence Bylaw No. 2505, 2002 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.trail.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-trail/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, City of Trail","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia","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/trail/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/short-term-rental.json"}}