{"title":"View Royal short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in View Royal?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","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":"Generally no. The Town of View Royal's Zoning Bylaw 900 prohibits vacation rentals and Airbnb-style stays. The only exception is a licensed bed and breakfast, as a Level 3 home occupation where the zone allows it. The Province also requires registration and applies its principal residence rule in View Royal.","aliases":["airbnb view royal","vrbo view royal","vacation rental","bed and breakfast view royal","short term rental registration bc"],"cost":"A bed and breakfast needs a Town business licence at $100 a year. Provincial registration fees are set by the Province; see its registry page. A municipal ticket for a prohibited vacation rental is $100.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Town bylaw compliance","value":"250-727-7903"},{"type":"email","label":"Town bylaw compliance","value":"bylawcompliance@viewroyal.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Province of BC short-term rental help (ServiceBC)","value":"1-833-828-2240"},{"type":"email","label":"Province of BC short-term rental registry","value":"STRregistry@sbc.gov.bc.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900 (consolidated to June 2026, PDF)","url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Short-term rentals, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals"},{"title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"View Royal home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"business-licence","title":"View Royal business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/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":"Vacation rentals and Airbnb are prohibited as a principal or accessory use, except bed and breakfast, hotel, motel, campground or hospital hostel where a zone lists them. A B&B is only a Level 3 home occupation. Secondary and garden suites cannot be short-term rentals. The Province's principal residence rule applies to View Royal.","short":"No; prohibited except B&B, hotel, motel where listed","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 1.5, 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3)","section":"ss. 3.3.2(d), 4.2.1(m)(xv), 4.3","quotes":["Vacation rentals, AirBNB and any other form of non-residential commercial overnight","excepting only the following when listed as a specifically","Bed and Breakfast, as further regulated under Section 4.3"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/permits-inspections/secondary-suites.html","title":"Secondary Suites, Town of View Royal","section":"Frequently Asked Questions","quotes":["Secondary suites are not permitted to be non-residential commercial overnight accommodation, including vacation rentals, Airbnb, etc., regardless of length of stay."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/Land_Development/garden-suites.html","title":"Garden Suites, Town of View Royal","section":"Garden Suites page","quotes":["cannot be used for short-term rentals (i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), nor strata titled."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"List of communities where the principal residence requirement applies","quotes":["Terrace Vancouver Vernon Victoria View Royal West Vancouver White Rock Williams Lake ## Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"A B&B needs a Town business licence: $100 a year (same fee as a home occupation), plus the home occupation rules. No licence category for vacation rentals exists because they are prohibited.","short":"B&B: yes, $100 a year; vacation rentals prohibited","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Home Occupation Business Licences","quotes":["Bed & Breakfast","See section 4.3 of the Zoning Bylaw for requirements and restrictions."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","section":"Annual Business Licence Fees","quotes":["Home Occupation Bed & Breakfast Commercial Small Intermunicipal Non-Resident | $100.00"]}],"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's short-term rental registry and renew each year. This applies to stays under 90 consecutive days, even where a local business licence is not required.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","section":"Short-term rental registration","quotes":["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."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC","section":"Business licence exemptions","quotes":["Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"B&B only: accessory use in a detached dwelling; at most two sleeping units for transient guests; must not change the home's residential look; the licensed operator must live there; maximum length of stay no more than 60 days in a calendar year (wording unclear). Level 3 home occupation: lot 1,000 m² or more, two extra parking spaces.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 1.5, 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3)","section":"ss. 4.3.1, 4.2.5","quotes":["A bed and breakfast must only be operated as an accessory use within a detached","may contain a maximum of two sleeping units for","The licensed operator of a bed and breakfast operation must reside in the dwelling in","The minimum lot size of a Level 3 Home Occupation is 1,000m2.","two additional off-street parking spaces are required","The maximum length of stay is no more than 60 days in a calendar year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket $100 for a prohibited vacation rental. On conviction under the Zoning Bylaw, a fine up to $10,000.","short":"Ticket $100; up to $10,000 in court","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/643%20MTI%20Bylaw%20No.%20643,%202007%20-%20May%202026.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026)","section":"Schedule 18, Zoning Bylaw No. 900","quotes":["Prohibited vacation rental 3.3.2.e $100"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 1.5, 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3)","section":"s. 1.5.1","quotes":["liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 (ss. 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3); Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 1.5, 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3)","section":"title","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW NO. 900, 2014"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw 952 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/643%20MTI%20Bylaw%20No.%20643,%202007%20-%20May%202026.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026)","section":"title","quotes":["MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATION BYLAW"]}],"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\nThe Town of View Royal does not allow short-term rentals as a normal home use. [Zoning Bylaw 900](https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf) prohibits vacation rentals, Airbnb and any other non-residential commercial overnight accommodation, as a principal or accessory use, except a bed and breakfast, hotel, motel, campground or hospital hostel where a zone lists it. Secondary suites and garden suites cannot be short-term rentals.\n\nA bed and breakfast is allowed only as a Level 3 home occupation. Its rules include: an accessory use in a detached dwelling, at most two sleeping units for transient guests, no change to the home's residential look, and the licensed operator must live there. A Level 3 home occupation needs a lot of 1,000 m2 or more and two extra parking spaces. The zoning also says the maximum length of stay is no more than 60 days in a calendar year, but it is unclear whose stay that refers to. Ask Planning.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone on the Zoning Map and in Bylaw 900.\n2. For a bed and breakfast, get a Town business licence ($100 a year), and confirm zoning with Planning.\n3. Separately, register with the Province. Hosts must register with the Province's short-term rental registry and renew each year, for stays under 90 consecutive days.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- View Royal is on the Province's list of communities where the principal residence requirement applies. Short-term rentals are limited to the host's usual home, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the property. This applies on top of the Town's bylaw.\n- A municipal ticket for a prohibited vacation rental is $100. On conviction under the Zoning Bylaw, the fine can be up to $10,000.\n- Operating a bed and breakfast without a business licence is a $100 ticket.\n- No Town rules about posting a licence number or naming a local contact were found. The business licence must be displayed in the premises.\n- Long-term renting of a secondary suite or garden suite is allowed where zoning permits.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/900%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20June%202026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 1.5, 3.3.2, 4.2, 4.3)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/permits-inspections/secondary-suites.html","title":"Secondary Suites, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/Land_Development/garden-suites.html","title":"Garden Suites, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/643%20MTI%20Bylaw%20No.%20643,%202007%20-%20May%202026.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw 952 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Municipal~Services/Bylaw-Enforcement/2025%20Bylaw%20Complaint%20Form.pdf","title":"Bylaw Complaint Form, Town of View Royal (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals","title":"Short-term rentals, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement","title":"Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry","title":"Short-term rental registration, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/view-royal/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/short-term-rental.json"}}