---
title: Whistler short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)
question: "Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Whistler?"
place: Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/whistler
category: Housing and renting
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/short-term-rental/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/short-term-rental.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** In Whistler, only if your property's zoning allows tourist accommodation. You also need a municipal tourist accommodation business licence and provincial short-term rental registration. Residential-zoned homes and employee housing cannot be rented to tourists. Whistler is exempt from the provincial principal-residence rule.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Tourist accommodation licence: $25 application fee, then $250 a year (web pages say "$250 per guest unit"). Hotels $190 plus $10 per guest unit; campgrounds $190 plus $5 per site. The provincial registry charges its own annual fee.  
**How long:** Not stated. Licences are not processed for properties with open or incomplete building permits.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Business licences, 604-935-8249 (businesslicences@whistler.ca)
- Phone: Planning Department (zoning), 604-935-8170

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Only on a property whose zoning lists tourist accommodation or temporary accommodation as a permitted use. Residential-zoned properties and employee housing units cannot be rented to tourists for any length of time. Whistler is on the Province's exempt list, so the provincial principal residence requirement does not apply.
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Requirements, 1. Check your property's zoning and covenants](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/business-licenses/tourist-accommodation-requirements/)
  - Official wording: "Properties with residential zoning and employee housing units cannot be marketed or rented to tourists for any length of time."
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017, s. 4](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person may carry on a tourist accommodation business in the Resort Municipality with respect to any premises other than a tourist accommodation property."
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, List of exempt communities, 'Municipalities exempt from the principal residence requirement'](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Municipalities exempt from the principal residence requirement" … "West Kelowna Whistler Zeballos"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A tourist accommodation business licence is required. $25 application fee, then an annual fee of $250 for a tourist accommodation business (web pages say '$250 per guest unit'; the fee table lists $250 with no unit fee). Hotels $190 + $10 per guest unit; campgrounds $190 + $5 per site. Fees set by Amendment Bylaw No. 2451, 2024.
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017, s. 3](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person may carry on a tourist accommodation business in the Resort Municipality" … "without a current licence for that business."
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Requirements, Tourist accommodation business licence fees](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/business-licenses/tourist-accommodation-requirements/)
  - Official wording: "$250 per guest unit per year" … "$190 + $10 per guest unit per year" … "$190 + $5 per site per year" … "Business licence application fee | $25"
  - Source: [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), Schedule A](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Consolidated-Business-Licence-And-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2253-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Tourist Accommodation Business (other $190.00 $25.00/tourist"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** Yes. Hosts offering stays of fewer than 90 consecutive days must register each unit with the Province's short-term rental registry and pay the annual fee. Whistler's exemption from the principal residence requirement does not remove registration. Listings must show the municipal licence number.
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Requirements, 3. Register with the provincial short-term rental registry](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/business-licenses/tourist-accommodation-requirements/)
  - Official wording: "Tourist accommodation (also known as short-term rental) hosts, platforms, and strata hotels need to register with the provincial short-term rental registry by May 1, 2025." … "Display a valid municipal business licence number on your listing on any short-term rental accommodation platform"
  - Source: [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia, Business licence exemptions](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)
  - Official wording: "Provincial registration requirements apply to short-term rentals offered for fewer than 90 consecutive days, regardless of whether a local business licence is required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** Post the licence number on all marketing. A bed and breakfast operator must live on the premises while it is in use. A hotel needs a 24-hour front desk, housekeeping and building maintenance. No licence is processed for a property with an open or incomplete building permit.
  - Source: [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), s. 8](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Consolidated-Business-Licence-And-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2253-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every holder of a licence for a tourist accommodation business shall post their" … "licence number in a conspicuous place on any marketing for the business."
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017, s. 8, 12](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person operating a tourist accommodation business as a bed and breakfast must reside" … "have an on-site front desk that provides:" … "provide housekeeping services to every guest unit in the hotel; and"
  - Source: [How B.C.'s new short-term rental rules affect Whistler, FAQ, Open or expired permits](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/land-use-and-development/provincial-legislation/how-b-c-s-new-short-term-rental-rules-affect-whistler/)
  - Official wording: "The RMOW does not process business licence applications for any property with open or incomplete building permit files."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $3,000 for operating without a licence, using premises not permitted, marketing stays under one month, or breaking licence terms. Bylaw notice: $500. A court can fine up to $10,000 per offence.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B (Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017), amended by Bylaw 2427](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL001719-2025-09-03-Signed.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Carry on tourist accommodation business without a licence 3 $3000" … "Market property for less than 1 month 6 $3000"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule (Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL002174.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Carry on tourist accommodation business 3 500 500 NO"
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017, s. 20](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
  - Official wording: "commits an offence of this bylaw, and is liable on conviction to a fine or penalty of up to" … "$10,000 for each offence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019; Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015
  - Source: [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017, s. 22](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as "Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017"."
  - Source: [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), title](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Consolidated-Business-Licence-And-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2253-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 2253, 2019"
  - Source: [https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/Zoning-_and_Parking_Bylaw_303_2015_2026-08-07.pdf, title page](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/Zoning-_and_Parking_Bylaw_303_2015_2026-08-07.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ZONING AND PARKING BYLAW NO. 303, 2015"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Whistler allows short-term (tourist accommodation) rentals only on a property whose zoning lists tourist accommodation or temporary accommodation as a permitted use. Under the [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf), residential-zoned properties and employee housing units cannot be rented to tourists for any length of time. Covenants, such as rental pool covenants, can also limit use.

The Province's principal-residence requirement does not apply: Whistler is on the Province's exempt list. Provincial registration is still required.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning (see zoning-lookup) and any covenants on title.
2. Apply for a tourist accommodation business licence with the Municipality.
3. Register each unit with the Province's short-term rental registry if you offer stays of fewer than 90 consecutive days, and pay the annual fee.
4. Show your municipal licence number on all listings and marketing.

## Good to know

- No licence is processed for a property with an open or incomplete building permit.
- A bed and breakfast operator must live on the premises while it is in use. A hotel needs a 24-hour front desk, housekeeping and building maintenance. Hotels and lodges also pay $125 a year for a fire safety inspection.
- No one may market a stay of less than 1 month unless the property is a tourist accommodation property.
- Fines: a municipal ticket is $3,000 and a bylaw notice is $500; a court can fine up to $10,000 per offence.
- The consolidated bylaw lists a different tourist accommodation fee ($190 plus $25 per property) from the Municipality's current pages. Confirm with Business Licences.
- We found no guest, bedroom or parking limits in the bylaw.

## Official forms and pages

- [Tourist Accommodation Requirements, Resort Municipality of Whistler](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/business-licenses/tourist-accommodation-requirements/)
- [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017 (PDF)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement)

## Related questions

- [Whistler business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/business-licence.md)
- [Whistler zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Whistler secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/secondary-suite.md)
- [Whistler bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/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)
- [Pemberton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/short-term-rental.md)
- [Squamish](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/short-term-rental.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/short-term-rental.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/short-term-rental.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/short-term-rental.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Tourist Accommodation Requirements, Resort Municipality of Whistler](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/business-licenses/tourist-accommodation-requirements/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Tourist Accommodation Regulation Bylaw No. 2142, 2017 (PDF)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tourist-Accommodation-Business-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2142-2017.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Consolidated-Business-Licence-And-Regulation-Bylaw-No.-2253-2019.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [How B.C.'s new short-term rental rules affect Whistler, Resort Municipality of Whistler](https://www.whistler.ca/business-development/land-use-and-development/provincial-legislation/how-b-c-s-new-short-term-rental-rules-affect-whistler/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL001719-2025-09-03-Signed.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018 (PDF)](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL002174.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/Zoning-_and_Parking_Bylaw_303_2015_2026-08-07.pdf](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/Zoning-_and_Parking_Bylaw_303_2015_2026-08-07.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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/whistler/short-term-rental/_