B.C. launches short‑term rental registry

Supporting legitimate STR hosts

The new registry requires all hosts listing on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo to register with the province, including those operating in areas without a principal-residence requirement. Registered hosts will receive a provincial registration number, which must be displayed on all listings. Non-compliant listings will be removed as of June 1, 2025.

“This registry is about ensuring fair operations in the short-term rental market,” says Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing and municipal affairs. “We’re giving hosts who are following the rules the ability to continue welcoming guests while targeting speculators who are contributing to the housing shortage.”

Hosts can register through an online application (gov.bc.ca/strregistry), with discounts available for early registration to receive 50 per cent off fees for registrations by February 28, 2025 or 25 per cent off fees for registrations by March 31, 2025.

The annual fees are as follows:

• $100 for STRs where the host resides, such as renting out a home while away.
• $450 for STRs where the host does not reside, such as secondary suites, cottages, or laneway homes.
• $600 for entire strata hotels.

Revenue from registration will fund enforcement and compliance efforts in communities across the province. These measures will enhance fairness for the hospitality industry, particularly for hotels competing with unregulated STR operators.

The STR registry complements the province’s broader housing initiatives, ensuring a balance between supporting tourism and addressing housing challenges. Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver, highlights the importance of this balance: “As our city grows, it’s vital to ensure there’s enough housing for everyone who wants to live here, while continuing to support our thriving tourism industry.”

Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of BC, also supports the initiative. “The new registry strikes the right balance, ensuring enough homes for residents and accommodations for visitors,” Judas says.

Reducing illegal STR operations is a key part of the provincial government’s “Homes for People” plan, a $19-billion initiative aimed at delivering thousands of homes over the next decade. Early results from other housing-focused STR policies have shown success: areas with principal-residence requirements reportedly saw a 10 per cent decline in entire homes listed on STR platforms since March 2024, opening up more long-term rental options.

Additionally, research from McGill University indicates that B.C.’s STR regulations have reduced rents by 5.7 per cent, saving renters over $600 million in 2023.

The registry demonstrates the province’s commitment to levelling the playing field for traditional hotels and regulated accommodations, according to Destination British Columbia. By addressing unregulated mini-hotel operators and speculative STR listings, the government aims to ensure compliance while protecting legitimate businesses in the hospitality sector.

This initiative, combined with ongoing housing investments, supports a sustainable path forward for the tourism and hospitality industries. Hosts and hotel operators can learn more and register at gov.bc.ca/strregistry.