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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in the City of Vernon, with a City business licence. Stays must be under 90 consecutive days and only at your principal residence. The licence is $400 a year plus a $150 application fee, and you must also register with the Province.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** $150 non-refundable application fee, then a $400 annual licence, which is halved for applications after July 1. Strata-titled hotel or motel: $100 application fee, then $250 plus $5 per unit.  
**How long:** Licences renew every year. The City's STR page says they renew automatically unless you send a cancellation notice before January 31.  
**Where:**
- Online: Apply for a short-term rental business licence, https://ecommerce2.vernon.ca/TempestApps/eapply/licensing/welcome.aspx?Category=BUSINESS%20LICENCES&Template=STR
- In person: Community Services Building (Business Licensing), 3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8 (250-550-3634; Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; forms must be complete before you arrive.)
- Email: Business Licensing (applications, cancellations, unlicensed operators), buslicence@vernon.ca
- Phone: Bylaw Compliance (nuisance complaints), 250-550-3505
- Phone: Provincial short-term rental registry (ServiceBC), 1-833-828-2240

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, with a City business licence. Under 90 consecutive days, only at the operator's principal residence (house, suite, accessory dwelling, apartment, duplex, multi-family). Zoning lists it in rural (AGRL, AGRS), housing, resort and commercial mixed-use zones. Suites need an on-lot principal resident. Strata-titled hotels are exempt.
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
  - Official wording: "is permitted only within a single-family home, secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, an apartment, duplex or muli-family for less than 90 consecutive days." … "it must be operated by a principal resident that resides at a dwelling unit on the same lot as the secondary suite or accessory building."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 5.15](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Short-Term Rental (all classifications) must be operated at the Licensee's principal residence."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, section 3.3.8, Definitions and zone tables](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/6000%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20COMBINED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Short-term Rental Accommodation means the commercial provision of overnight"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Application fee $150 (non-refundable) and a $400 annual licence fee, renewed each year. Fee is halved for applications after July 1. Strata-titled hotel or motel: $100 application, then $250 plus $5 per unit.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 14](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "m.1 STR – Short-Term Rentals $ 400 per year (Bylaw 6045)" … "Rentals $150 per application (Bylaw"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Fees](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Business Licences for short-term rentals cost $400 and must be renewed annually." … "The licence fee for a Short-Term Rental will be reduced by 50% for applications after the first day of July in any year."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.17](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Licence Fee will be reduced by 50% in respect to a Business that becomes"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Hosts must also register with the Province's short-term rental registry and renew each year.
  - Source: [Short-term rental registration - Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry)
  - Official wording: "Short-term rental hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register and pay annual registration fees." … "If you have a short-term rental registration, you must renew it each year to continue operating."
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Eligibility and Licensing Requirements](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
  - Official wording: "short-term rental operators must also meet Provincial requirements."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** One booking per dwelling unit at a time; no more than two guests per bedroom, up to eight guests; no more than two adults per sleeping unit; one marked parking spot per bedroom; a local contact who can attend within 1 hour; fire evacuation plan posted; guest records kept. Listings must show the business licence and say whether parking is available.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 5.17](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "accommodate no more than two (2) guests per bedroom up to a maximum" … "provide one designated parking spot on the Premises per bedroom, to be used exclusively for patron vehicles, and clearly marked as such;" … "within 1 hour of a request made by the City."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations (5.4), s. 5.5.1-5.5.2](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-5-specific-use-regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No more than one booking or reservation for Short-term Rental Accommodation is" … "No more than two adults may occupy a Sleeping Unit used for Short-term Rental"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Example Offences](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Listing or advertising a short-term rental without displaying a valid business licence." … "Listing or advertising a short-term rental without indicating if parking is available or not."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 6048): operating without a licence $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days); not a principal residence, or over the guest limit, $500 ($450 early). Municipal ticket (Bylaw 6049): no licence $3,000; not a principal residence or over guest limit $1,000 ($950 early).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048, Schedule A, Bylaw 6100](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence $300.00 $250.00 $325.00 YES" … "Not Principal Residence $500.00 $450.00 $500.00 YES" … "Exceed Guest Limit (Short- $500.00 $450.00 $500.00 YES"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049, Schedule B, Bylaw 6100](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence $3000.00 $3000.00" … "Not Principal Residence (Short- $1000.00 $950.00" … "Exceed Guest Limit (Short-Term $1000.00 $950.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw 6100, 2025 (s. 5.15 to 5.18); Zoning Bylaw No. 6000, s. 5.5 (Short-term Rental Accommodation); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3909, Schedule A, s. 14
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 1.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw 6100, 2025"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations (5.4), s. 5.5](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-5-specific-use-regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5.5 Short-term Rental Accommodation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Short-term rental is allowed in the City of Vernon with a City business licence under [Business Licence Bylaw 6100](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) and Zoning Bylaw 6000 (section 5.5). Stays must be under 90 consecutive days, and only at the operator's principal residence (house, suite, accessory dwelling, apartment, duplex or multi-family unit). A suite needs a principal resident on the lot. Zoning lists it in the rural (AGRL, AGRS), housing, resort and commercial mixed-use zones. Properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve must also follow ALR rules. Strata-titled hotels are exempt from the principal residence rule.

## Steps

1. Prepare proof of principal residence, a fire evacuation plan, a Good Neighbour Agreement and a Local Contact Form.
2. Apply for the City licence and pay the $150 non-refundable application fee. The annual licence fee is $400, halved for applications after July 1.
3. Register with the Province's short-term rental registry and renew it each year. Without registration, listings are removed and bookings cancelled.

## Good to know

- Operating rules: one booking per dwelling unit at a time; no more than two guests per bedroom, up to eight guests; no more than two adults per sleeping unit; one marked parking spot per bedroom; a local contact who can attend within 1 hour; a fire evacuation plan posted; guest records kept.
- Also required: a fire extinguisher on each floor, and monthly smoke alarm tests logged. Listings must show the business licence and say whether parking is available.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $300 for operating without a licence ($250 if paid within 14 days) and $500 for not being a principal residence or exceeding the guest limit ($450 early). A municipal ticket is $3,000 for no licence and $1,000 for the other two ($950 early).

## What you'll need

- Proof of principal residence
- Fire evacuation plan of the whole dwelling unit
- Good Neighbour Agreement, Local Contact Form, and the Short Term Rental Business Licence Application

## Official forms and pages

- [Short-Term Rental Regulations](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
- [Short Term Rental Business Licence Application (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/2025-09/COV_STR_BL%20Application_Form_0.pdf)
- [Short-term rentals, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals)

## Related questions

- [Vernon business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/business-licence.md)
- [Vernon home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/home-based-business.md)
- [Vernon secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vernon noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/short-term-rental.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/short-term-rental.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/short-term-rental.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Short-Term Rental Regulations, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 6100 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.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)
- [Zoning Bylaw 6000, section 3.3.8](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/6000%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20COMBINED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-term rental registration - Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations (5.4)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-5-specific-use-regulations.pdf) (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/vernon/short-term-rental/_