The B.C. government is introducing a new short-term rental (STR) accommodation registry in an effort to increase the availability of long-term housing and crack down on illegal rental operators.

Under the new rules, anyone listing an STR on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must register with the province, even if the properties are located outside areas with principal-residence requirements.

“We are taking action to help more people find a home in the communities they love by reining in speculators who are operating illegally,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing and municipal Affairs. “The launch of the registry is the next step to provide more long-term homes for people, giving hosts who are playing by the rules the ability to continue to legally operate and welcome guests while further cracking down on speculators who are breaking the rules.”

The online registration process is available at gov.bc.ca/strregistry. Once registered, hosts will receive a provincial registration number that must be displayed on all listings in B.C. by May 1. Listings without a valid registration number will be removed as of June 1.

The annual registration fees are:

• $100 for an STR where the host lives, such as a whole home rented out while they are away or a bedroom within it.
• $450 for a unit where the host does not reside, such as a secondary suite, cottage, or laneway home.
• $600 for an entire strata hotel.

Hosts who register early can receive a 50% discount if they sign up by Feb. 28, or a 25% discount if they register by March 31. Revenue generated from the fees will support enforcement and compliance efforts, the province says.

The provincial registry requirement is in addition to any local municipal regulations, including business licensing rules.

According to preliminary B.C. housing ministry data, there has already been a 10% decline in entire-home STR listings in areas with principal-residence requirements since March 2024. Officials say this has opened up additional housing options for long-term residents.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said tourism revenue growth must be balanced with housing needs.

“As our city grows, it’s vital to ensure there’s enough housing for everyone who wants to live here,” said Sim. “Together, we’re finding the right balance – supporting our thriving tourism industry while also prioritizing housing for our residents.”

The Tourism Industry Association of BC has also backed the move. Walt Judas, the association’s CEO, noted that the suite of STR regulations introduced by the province “strikes the right balance.”

The new registry is part of B.C.’s $19-billion Homes for People plan, which aims to increase housing availability across the province. Since 2017, the government says, more than 90,000 homes have been delivered or are under construction, with more expected over the next decade.

A study by a McGill University researcher found that previous efforts to regulate STRs in B.C. reduced rents by 5.7% and saved British Columbians about $600 million in rental costs in 2023.

The registry comes after the province introduced legislation in 2023 that restricts STRs. 

Under the new rules phased in during 2024, violators’ fines will increase to $3,000 from $1,000 per infraction per day. Among the legal obligations, online STR platform operators are required to provide listings data to the province to help enforce compliance and support tax auditing.

But Airbnb opposed the new rules. Alex Howell, an Airbnb Canadian policy manager, contended that STR rules do no effectively resolve local housing issues. Nathan Rotman, Airbnb’s Canadian leader, previously told Connect that STRs have no impact on Canada’s rental-housing market, based on Conference Board of Canada research.

Photo: Shutterstock