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

# West Kelowna short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**Short answer:** Yes, if you own and live in the home. West Kelowna requires a City short-term rental business licence ($250 application fee plus $500 a year) and a provincial registration number. Rentals must be under 30 consecutive days and in a permitted zone.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** $250 one-time application fee and $500 annual licence fee, not prorated, paid at application. Provincial registration fees are separate (see the Province's page).  
**Where:**
- In person: Business Licence Desk, West Kelowna City Hall, 3731 Old Okanagan Highway, West Kelowna, BC V4T 0G7 (Applications are in person, by the owner/operator. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Business Licencing, 778-797-8811
- Online: Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry
- Phone: ServiceBC (provincial registration), 1-833-828-2240

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, with a business licence, for an owner who is a principal resident. A short-term rental is allowed in a single detached dwelling, or a secondary suite or carriage house on the same parcel (one rental use per parcel); a bed and breakfast only in a single detached dwelling with no secondary dwelling. Zones listing it include A1, RU1 to RU5, R1, R1L and RP1.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.19, s. 3.19.1(a), 3.19.2(a)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/fcyptsg5/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Only be conducted within a single detached dwelling, or a secondary suite or carriage house accessory to a single detached dwelling, to a maximum of one short-term rental use per parcel, where the parcel contains more than one dwelling unit." … "Be operated by an owner of the property who is also a principal resident" … "Only be conducted within a single detached dwelling with no secondary dwelling unit on the same parcel."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences by Type](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Short-Term Rental (STR) - Permitted on parcels that contain two dwellings - single family dwelling and secondary suite, or single family dwelling and carriage house." … "Short-Term Rental (Bed and Breakfast) - Permitted on parcels that contain a single family dwelling."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Annual licence fee $500 (not prorated) plus a one-time $250 application fee, paid at application. Applications are in person, by the owner/operator, with a parking site plan, fire safety plan and Good Neighbour Agreement; a safety inspection is required before issue.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences by Type](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "One time application fee of $250 and an Annual Business Licence Fee of $500" … "Applications will only be accepted in person, and by the owner/operator of the Short-Term Rental."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "35 Short-Term Rental $500.00" … "37 Short-Term Rental Application Fee $250"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, section 12, s. 12.1, 12.2](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not carry on business as an operator of a short-term rental unless the person holds a valid business license issued under the provisions of this Bylaw." … "schedule a safety inspection with the Licence Inspector to ensure compliance with the British Columbia Building Code, British Columbia Fire Code and City Bylaws."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Hosts, platforms and strata hotel platforms in B.C. must register with the Province and pay annual fees, in addition to the City business licence. Listings must show both the City licence number and the provincial registration number.
  - Source: [Short-term rental registration, Province of British Columbia, Registration overview](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."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences by Type](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "The provincial registration is in addition to the required Municipal Business Licence for all Short-Term Rental operations."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, section 12, s. 12.3(e)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Ensure that any marketing or listing for the short-term rental includes the short-term rental Business License number, and any applicable Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration Number."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Owner is a principal resident and present overnight; rentals under 30 consecutive days; max 2 adults per bedroom and 4 bedrooms; owner or local contact must respond within 2 hours of a City request; only one booking at a time (not for bed and breakfast); no bedrooms in vehicles, tents or accessory buildings; licence and fire safety plan displayed; parking 1 space per 1 to 2 guest rooms, 2 per 3 to 4.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.19, s. 3.19.1; Table 4.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/fcyptsg5/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Be rented for periods less than 30 consecutive days." … "Permit more than two adults per bedroom." … "Permit more than four bedrooms for short-term rental use per dwelling." … "Ensure that the owner or local contact is available to respond to the dwelling within two (2) hours of being requested to do so by the City." … "Short-term rental accommodation 1.0 per one to two guest rooms" … "2.0 per three to four guest rooms"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, section 12, s. 12.3, 12.4](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Except for Short-Term Rental (Bed and Breakfast), ensure that no more than one booking is permitted at any one time for a short-term rental; and" … "Rent out any bedrooms or provide any sleeping accommodation within any vehicle, recreational vehicle, tent or accessory building; and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 0093): breaking short-term rental rules in Zoning s. 3.19, or licence conditions in Bylaw 0087 s. 12.3 and 12.4: $100 first offence, $250 second, $500 continuing. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 0095): s. 3.19 rules $500, $1,000, $3,000; operating without a licence (s. 12.1) $500, $1,000, $3,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093, Schedules 2 and 5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Contravene short-term rental rules (first offence) 3.19 (.1 to .4) 100.00" … "Contravene short-term rental rules (second offence) 3.19 (.1 to .4) 250.00" … "Operate short-term rental contrary to licence conditions (first 12.3 (a) to (d) 100.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095, Schedules 2 and 5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Contravene short-term rental rules (first offence) 3.19 (.1 to .4) 500.00" … "Contravene short-term rental rules (second offence) 3.19 (.1 to .4) 1000.00" … "Operate a short-term rental without a licence – first offence 12.1 500.00" … "Operate a short-term rental without a licence – second 12.1 1000.00" … "Operate a short-term rental without a licence – continuing 12.1 3000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, 2024 (s. 3.19); City of West Kelowna Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, 2010 (s. 12); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, 2009 (Schedule 16)
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, section 12, s. 1.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of West Kelowna Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, 2010"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.19, s. 3.19](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/fcyptsg5/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "3.19 SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND SHORT-TERM RENTALS (BED AND"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 0028.86, adopted March 24, 2026, amended Bylaw No. 28 by deleting Schedule 16 in its entirety and replaced it with the following Schedule 16. SCHEDULE 16 BUSINESS LICENCE CATEGORY LICENCE FEE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2013"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Zoning Bylaw 0320](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/fcyptsg5/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf) section 3.19, a short-term rental is allowed for an owner who is a principal resident. It can be in a single detached dwelling, or a secondary suite or carriage house on the same parcel (one rental use per parcel). A bed and breakfast is allowed only in a single detached dwelling with no secondary dwelling. Zones listing it include A1, RU1 to RU5, R1, R1L and RP1; check yours on WestMap.

The City licence is a business licence under Business Licensing Bylaw 0087. You also must register with the Province, and listings must show both the City licence number and the provincial registration number.

## Steps

1. Register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry.
2. Prepare a parking site plan, a fire safety plan and a Good Neighbour Agreement.
3. Apply in person at City Hall and pay the $250 application fee and $500 licence fee.
4. Pass the safety inspection. The licence is not issued until any needed building permit is closed.
5. Display the licence and fire safety plan.

## Good to know

- The owner is a principal resident and present overnight; rentals are under 30 consecutive days.
- Maximum 2 adults per bedroom and 4 bedrooms. Only one booking at a time (not for bed and breakfast). No bedrooms in vehicles, tents or accessory buildings.
- The owner or a local contact must respond within 2 hours of a City request.
- Parking: 1 space per 1 to 2 guest rooms, 2 per 3 to 4.
- Bed and breakfast: breakfast must be provided, with a maximum of two adults per bedroom and eight persons.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $100 for a first offence, $250 second and $500 continuing; a municipal ticket for the Zoning s. 3.19 rules is $500, $1,000 and $3,000. Operating without a licence is a municipal ticket of $500, $1,000 and $3,000.

## What you'll need

- Parking site plan, fire safety plan and Good Neighbour Agreement

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)

## Related questions

- [West Kelowna business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/business-licence.md)
- [West Kelowna bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/bylaw-fines.md)
- [West Kelowna noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/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)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/short-term-rental.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/short-term-rental.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/short-term-rental.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/short-term-rental.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, section 3.19 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/fcyptsg5/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, section 12 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.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)

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