{"title":"Williams Lake short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","question":"Can I rent out my home or a room on Airbnb in Williams Lake?","slug":"short-term-rental","place":{"path":"ca/bc/williams-lake","name":"Williams Lake","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":"Yes, in Williams Lake, if it is your principal residence. You need a City business licence ($150 a year) and must register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry. The zoning bylaw treats stays under 30 consecutive days as short-term rentals.","aliases":["airbnb williams lake","vrbo bylaw williams lake","bed and breakfast williams lake","short term rental licence williams lake","str registry williams lake"],"cost":"City business licence $150 a year (category 0101 Short-Term Rental), non-refundable. The provincial registration fee is set by the Province.","how_long":"A City business licence expires December 31 each year and must be renewed.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Development Services (business licence applications and zoning questions)","value":"development@williamslake.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-392-1765"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"450 Mart Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1N3","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"online","label":"Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry","value":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry"},{"type":"phone","label":"ServiceBC Contact Centre (provincial registry)","value":"1-833-828-2240"}],"documents":["Completed City business licence application","Provincial short-term rental registration"],"forms":[{"title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations page","url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations"},{"title":"Business License Application Form","url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/4968/Bus-Lic-Appln--June2023"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (PDF)","url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Williams Lake business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/business-licence/"},{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Williams Lake home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Williams Lake zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/100-mile-house","name":"100 Mile House","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/quesnel","name":"Quesnel","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/wells","name":"Wells","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/clinton","name":"Clinton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cache-creek","name":"Cache Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/short-term-rental/"},{"place":"ca/bc/clearwater","name":"Clearwater","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/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":"Yes, in the operator's primary residence, for stays under 30 consecutive days. Zoning s. 3.11.1 and the City page say residential and mixed-use zones, but s. 3.1.3(g) lists short-term rental accommodations as permitted throughout all zones. The provincial Act also applies.","short":"Yes, primary residence, stays under 30 consecutive days","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions","section":"s. 3.11.1, 2.4.1","quotes":["Short-term rental accommodation is permitted in residential and mixed-use","zones, subject to compliance with all requirements and provisions of the Short-","members of the public in a short-term rental operator’s primary residence, in","consecutive days.","(g) short-term rental accommodations subject to Section 3.11;"]},{"url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City of Williams Lake","section":"City Regulations","quotes":["short-term rentals are permitted in Residential and Mixed-Use zones"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Zoning s. 3.1.3(g) lists short-term rental accommodations among uses 'permitted throughout all zones' subject to s. 3.11, which is wider than s. 3.11.1. The Business License Bylaw defines short-term rental as under 90 consecutive days; zoning says under 30."},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. A City business licence is required: category 0101 Short-Term Rental, $150 a year, for operating one or more short-term rentals at the operator's principal residence, including secondary suites and accessory dwelling units. Licences expire December 31.","short":"Yes, $150 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions","section":"s. 3.11.2","quotes":["Short-term rental accommodation must have a valid license issued under City of"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470","title":"Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)","section":"Schedule A, code 0101","quotes":["SHORT-TERM RENTAL $150.00","or renting one (1) or more short-term rentals located at their principal","residence, including secondary suites and accessory dwelling units."]},{"url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City of Williams Lake","section":"Business License Requirement","quotes":["A valid City of Williams Lake Business License is required to operate a short-term rental."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"provincial_registration":{"label":"Provincial registration","value":"Yes. All short-term rental hosts and platforms in B.C. must register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry and pay annual registration fees.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City of Williams Lake","section":"Provincial Requirements","quotes":["All short-term rental hosts and platforms operating in B.C. must register with the Province"]},{"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":["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."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"rules":{"label":"Operating rules","value":"Must be the operator's primary residence, hold a valid City business licence (displayed permanently where the public has access) and be in a building meeting BC Building Code life-safety requirements. No limit on guests, bedrooms or parking and no local-contact rule were found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions","section":"s. 3.11.2, 3.11.3, 2.4.1","quotes":["Short-term rental accommodation must have a valid license issued under City of","Short- term rental accommodations must occupy a building or a portion of a","building that complies with the BC Building Code requirements for life and safety.","short-term rental operator’s primary residence, in"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470","title":"Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)","section":"s. 12","quotes":["Licenses shall be permanently displayed at all times in the business area of the premises to which the public has access."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 late) for failing the short-term accommodation rules in Zoning s. 3.11. Carrying on business without a licence: $250 ($190 early; $315 late).","short":"Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A-19 (zoning) and A-4 (business licensing)","quotes":["Fail To Meet Regulations For Short","3.11 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes","Carry on Business without 10. $250.00 $190.00 $315.00 Yes"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Williams Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (s. 3.11); City of Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions","section":"s. 3.11","quotes":["3.11 SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATIONS 3.11.1 Short-term rental accommodation is permitted in residential and mixed-use zones, subject to compliance with all requirements and provisions of the Short-","ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT TABLE List of Amendments to the City of WILLIAMS LAKE ZONING BYLAW NO. 2430, 2025 BYLAW CIVIC ADRESS TYPE /SECTIONS PURPOSE DATE OF","3.11.2 Short-term rental accommodation must have a valid license issued under City of Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No. 2365, as amended or replaced from time to time."]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470","title":"Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the “Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No."]}],"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 City of Williams Lake allows short-term rentals (stays under 30 consecutive days) in the operator's principal residence, including secondary suites and accessory dwelling units. It is also a community where the Province's principal residence rule applies. Both the City and the Province have rules:\n\n- **City business licence:** category 0101 Short-Term Rental, $150 a year, under the [Business License Bylaw](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470). The City checks zoning compliance before issuing it, and licences expire December 31.\n- **Provincial registration:** all short-term rental hosts and platforms in B.C. must register with the Short-Term Rental Registry and pay annual fees. ServiceBC: 1-833-828-2240.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm the rental is in your principal residence and check the zone rules with Development Services (250-392-1765).\n2. Apply for the City business licence (email development@williamslake.ca or visit City Hall) and pay the fee.\n3. Register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry.\n4. Display your licence permanently where the public has access.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The building must meet BC Building Code life-safety requirements.\n- **Zones differ between sources.** [Zoning Bylaw 2430](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601) s. 3.11.1 and the City's page say residential and mixed-use zones. The same bylaw's s. 3.1.3(g) lists short-term rentals as permitted \"throughout all zones\". Confirm your zone with the City.\n- **Length of stay differs.** Zoning says under 30 consecutive days; the Business License Bylaw defines a short-term rental as under 90.\n- No limit on guests, bedrooms or parking and no local-contact rule was found.\n- A bylaw notice for breaking the zoning rules in s. 3.11 is $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 late). Operating without a licence is $250 ($190 early; $315 late).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations","title":"Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City of Williams Lake","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470","title":"Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196 (PDF)","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 British Columbia","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 British Columbia","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/williams-lake/short-term-rental/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/short-term-rental.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/short-term-rental.json"}}