🍁 STRisker Canada (1)

Stay in the know on Canada’s short-term rental scene. Bringing you the latest updates and news on policies from coast to coast, we spotlight the trends redefining the industry.

British Columbia

The province of British Columbia is intensifying enforcement of its short-term rental (STR) regulations ahead of a busy summer tourism season requiring all hosts to register their units and platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to verify compliance by early June.

The rules include a principal residence requirement in cities over 10,000 residents, limiting STRs to a host’s primary home plus one accessory unit. Enforcement has shifted from complaint-based to proactive, with penalties reaching up to $3,000 per day for violations.

Osoyoos, BC

Nearly 90% of Osoyoos residents support allowing short-term rentals (STRs) in the town, according to a recent “What We Heard” report summarizing community input on the ongoing STR pilot project.

While 71% favor STRs with some regulations, views diverge on specifics like the principal residence requirement and licensing fees. The pilot project, which includes limits such as a maximum of four bedrooms, eight guests per unit, on-site parking, and a $750 business license fee, has mixed support—53% back implementing it, while others worry about the town’s capacity for enforcement and complaint management.

Kelowna, BC

Kelowna’s short-term rental market has dramatically contracted by 84% after the provincial government introduced tighter regulations in May 2024, limiting rentals to principal residences and specific secondary units.

While the crackdown aimed to increase long-term rental supply, most former STR units didn’t transition to long-term housing; instead, many investor landlords sold or moved into their condos. This drastic reduction in STRs, which once rivaled hotel room supply, contributed to a slower tourism summer.

Columbia-Shushwap Regional District, BC

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District discussed the short-term rental regulations during its May 27 Electoral Area Directors meeting amid concerns about negative tourism impacts.

Short-Term Rentals | CSRD, BC

This page provides information about how the provincial Bill 35 - Short Term Rental Accommodations Act may affect residents of the CSRD.

Home PageGovernment Websites by CivicPlus®

Director Jay Simpson has recommended temporarily allowing STRs across all residential zones while new Official Community Plans and zoning bylaws are developed. This approach aims to give STR operators a two-year window to continue hosting and sustain tourism businesses in the region. Many hosts face costly processes to legalize their rentals and some may shut down rather than comply.

Owens Sound, Ontario

Owen Sound’s River District Board of Management has postponed submitting formal feedback on proposed changes to the city’s Short-Term Rental Licensing Program.

Short-Term Rentals | City of Owen Sound

This webpage contains information on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) within the City of Owen Sound

City of Owen Sound

The recommendations under Council review include extending the annual rental cap from 180 to 240 days, removing the principal residence requirement in downtown and waterfront zones, and creating a higher licensing fee for commercial-style STRs.

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