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

# Williams Lake short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**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:**
- Email: Development Services (business licence applications and zoning questions), development@williamslake.ca
- Phone: Development Services, 250-392-1765
- In person: City Hall, 450 Mart Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1N3 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Online: Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry
- Phone: ServiceBC Contact Centre (provincial registry), 1-833-828-2240

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.11 and definitions, s. 3.11.1, 2.4.1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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;"
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City Regulations](https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations)
  - Official wording: "short-term rentals are permitted in Residential and Mixed-Use zones"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.11 and definitions, s. 3.11.2](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "Short-term rental accommodation must have a valid license issued under City of"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, code 0101](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Business License Requirement](https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations)
  - Official wording: "A valid City of Williams Lake Business License is required to operate a short-term rental."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Provincial registration:** 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.
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Accommodations, Provincial Requirements](https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations)
  - Official wording: "All short-term rental hosts and platforms operating in B.C. must register with the Province"
  - 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." … "If you have a short-term rental registration, you must renew it each year to continue operating."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Operating rules:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.11 and definitions, s. 3.11.2, 3.11.3, 2.4.1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF), s. 12](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470)
  - Official wording: "Licenses shall be permanently displayed at all times in the business area of the premises to which the public has access."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, Schedule A-19 (zoning) and A-4 (business licensing)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Williams Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (s. 3.11); City of Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.11 and definitions, s. 3.11](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF), s. 1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the “Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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:

- **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.
- **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.

## Steps

1. Confirm the rental is in your principal residence and check the zone rules with Development Services (250-392-1765).
2. Apply for the City business licence (email development@williamslake.ca or visit City Hall) and pay the fee.
3. Register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry.
4. Display your licence permanently where the public has access.

## Good to know

- The building must meet BC Building Code life-safety requirements.
- **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.
- **Length of stay differs.** Zoning says under 30 consecutive days; the Business License Bylaw defines a short-term rental as under 90.
- No limit on guests, bedrooms or parking and no local-contact rule was found.
- 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).

## What you'll need

- Completed City business licence application
- Provincial short-term rental registration

## Official forms and pages

- [Short-Term Rental Accommodations page](https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations)
- [Business License Application Form](https://www.williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/4968/Bus-Lic-Appln--June2023)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)

## Related questions

- [Williams Lake business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/business-licence.md)
- [Williams Lake home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/home-based-business.md)
- [Williams Lake zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Short-term rental rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/short-term-rental.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/short-term-rental.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/short-term-rental.md)
- [Wells](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/short-term-rental.md)
- [Clinton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/short-term-rental.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/short-term-rental.md)
- [Clearwater](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/short-term-rental.md)

## Sources

- [Short-Term Rental Accommodations, City of Williams Lake](https://www.williamslake.ca/1071/Short-Term-Rental-Accommodations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.11 and definitions](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839) (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)
- [Short-term rental principal residence requirement, Province of British Columbia](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/principal-residence-requirement) (read 2026-11-05)

_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/williams-lake/short-term-rental/_