Short-Term Rental Regulations

Eligibility and Licensing Requirements

• Principal Residence Requirement

  • Principal residence means the residence in which an individual resides for a longer period of time in a calendar year than any other place. (Strata-Title Hotel and Motel. Please see information below.)
  • If a secondary suite or accessory building is used for a short-term rental accommodation, it must be operated by a principal resident that resides at a dwelling unit on the same lot as the secondary suite or accessory building.
  • Principal residence does not apply to a property in the case that the operator holds a fractional interest and the fractional ownership agreement prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence.
  • For properties within the Agricultural Land Reserve, short-term rental accommodation must be in accordance with City regulations and the Agricultural Land Reserve.
• Strata-Title Hotel or Motel

  • Exempt from Principal Residence if accommodation is provided in a manner like that of a hotel or motel and meets the conditions for exemption from the principal residence required related to strata-titled hotels or motels as prescribed under the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Regulation.
  • Provide the number of units contained in the strata, as well as the number of units in operation for short-term rentals as part of the Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel.  The licence fee for a Strat-Titled Hotel or Motel will be calculated based on the total number of units contained in the strata.

  A Short-Term Rental Business Licence cannot be issued for an individual strata lot in a Strata-Title Hotel or Motel. The President of the Strata - Title Hotel or Motel is to apply for the Business Licence.

• Local Contact Person

  Local Contact information of a responsible person that must be available to attend the property where the short-term rental is located, on behalf of the owner with the authority to address any concerns or complaints within 1 hour of requests or complaints. 

• Listing Requirements / Restrictions

  • No more than one booking or reservation is permitted in each dwelling unit at one time.
  • Accommodate no more than two guests per bedroom up to a maximum of eight (8) guests per dwelling unit at any one time.
  • Operators must provide one designated parking spot on the premises per bedroom, to be used exclusively for patron vehicles, and clearly marked as such.
• Fire & Safety Requirements

  • Your short-term rental accommodation must have appropriate safety measures in place to protect guests in the event of an emergency.
  • Provide contact information for someone who is available to respond to incidents 24/7.
  • Install a fire extinguisher on each floor, which must be wall mounted and visible: it cannot be stored in a closet or cupboard.
  • Smoke alarms shall be operated monthly to ensure they are operational. A logbook shall be kept indicating the test dates. Smoke alarms shall be replaced after 10 years
  • Test annually, and maintain in working order, all smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Fire Evacuation Plan

  As the fire evacuation must be posted at all entrances and exits and in each approved sleeping unit, applications must be submitted with a complete plan. The fire evacuation plan must include the following information.

  • Instructions to occupants in the event of a fire
  • Operator’s name
  • Address of the property
  • Responsible Person contact (name and number of someone who is locally available 24 hours a day to address immediate concerns)
  • Emergency contact number (911)
  • Designated meeting point
  • Secondary exit path from bedrooms(s)
  • Location of smoke/carbon monoxide alarms
  • Location of fire extinguishers
  • Location of fire exists from the rental property
  • Location of window exits and the size of their unobstructed openings
  • Legend to the symbols used in drawing
  • The entire dwelling unit must be included with all sleeping units labelled for short-term rental use

  View a sample Fire Evacuation Plan.

• Parking

  One designated parking spot is required on the Premises per bedroom, to be used exclusively for patron vehicles, and clearly marked as such.

Applying for a Business Licence

• Application Requirements

  • Proof of principal residence of the property. Please provide the Provincial Homeowner's Grant or Owner Consent Form (if tenant is applying).
  • Fractional Ownership Agreement & Land Title must be provided in the case that the operator holds a fractional interest and the fractional ownership agreement prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence
  • Prepare a Fire Evacuation Plan of the dwelling unit identifying smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, each sleeping unit, the types.
  • Complete the following forms: 
    • Short Term Rental Business Licence Application
    • Good Neighbour Agreement
    • Owner Consent Form (If tenant is applying)
    • Local Contact Form
    • Strata Council Consent Form (if Strata)
  • Strata Resolution outlining that the Strata-Title Hotel or Motel provides accommodation in a manner like a hotel or motel. (if application is for a Strata-Title Hotel or Motel)
  • Documentation verify President of Strata Council. (If application is for a Strata-Title Hotel or Motel)
  • Fractional Ownership Agreement, if applicable. (Operator holds a fractional interest which prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence.)
     
• Fees

  • A non-refundable application fee of $150 must be paid at the time the application is submitted. If approved, an invoice will be provided and must be paid prior to the release of the licence. Business Licences for short-term rentals cost $400 and must be renewed annually.
  • Strata-Title Hotel or Motel: A non-refundable application fee of $100.00 must be paid at the time the application is submitted. If approved, an invoice will be provided and must be paid prior to the release of the licence. Business Licence fee is $250.00 plus $5.00 for each short-term rental unit and must be renewed annually. 
  • Accepted methods of payment inlcude cash, cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
  • The licence fee for a Short-Term Rental will be reduced by 50% for applications after the first day of July in any year. The following year, they will be charged the regular fees.
  • No refund shall be available for Short-Term Rental business licences for any reason.
     
• Cancelling a Business Licence

  Business licences are set to renew automatically, and fees are applied to the accounts, unless a notification of cancellation has been received before January 31. Cancellation requests can be submitted by emailing buslicence@vernon.ca.

Compliance

• Example Offences

  • Operating without a valid business licence.
  • Operating contrary to zoning restrictions.
  • Listing or advertising a short-term rental without displaying a valid business licence.
  • Listing or advertising a short-term rental exceeding approved bedroom count on business licence.
  • Listing or advertising a short-term rental without indicating if parking is available or not.
  • Operating a short-term rental contrary to your business licence.
  • Operating in an unsafe or nuisance property.
  • Refusing entry for inspection by a Licence Inspector or City representative.
     
• Inspection

  The City actively inspects short-term rentals. Operators must provide access to their short-term rental accommodation for the City to inspect, upon request.

  Operators understand that City staff may:

  • Audit short-term rental licences and all required documentation.
  • Request evidence that supports the information in a licence application
  • Request records of the short-term rental bookings and operation dates
  • Request records showing fire safety inspections and safety maintenance
     
• Information for Guests

  City bylaws ensure our community is a safe and enjoyable place for residents and visitors. Hosts must ensure guests are aware of the following rules, as well as any other rules set by your strata, if applicable.

  Noise: Because many short-term rental properties are near other residential homes, please ensure your guests are considerate of the public and their neighbours at all times of day.
  Bylaw: Good Neighbour Bylaw

  Parking: Ensure your guests know where they can and can’t park. Guests are responsible for abiding by parking regulations
  Bylaw: Section 4 of the Traffic Bylaw   

  Dogs: Guests must control their dogs at all times and keep on a leash when outside, unless within a designated off-leash dog park. Guests must also pick up after their dog.
  Bylaws: Animal Regulation and Animal Pound & Parks and Public Places

  Garbage and Recycling: Hosts should ensure guests have access to recycling and garbage bins. 
  Learn more about residential garbage and recycling.
  
  
   

• Issues or Concerns

  Direct any nuisance complaints to Bylaw Services at 250-550-3505. If you're aware of a short-term rental business operating without a licence, contact our Business Licensing Department at buslicence@vernon.ca.

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