The City of Victoria regulates short-term rentals for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Licensing and any enforcement is carried out in alignment with the City of Victoria Strategic Plan and related regulations and bylaws.
Below you will find links to provincial rules, short-term and long-term rental rules, application information, frequently asked questions and ways to contact staff for further information.
Provincial Regulations that Impact the City of Victoria
• Non-Principal Resident Short-Term Licences are now unlawful as legal non-conforming use status has been repealed by the Province
• a short-term rental period is defined as a minimum of 90 consecutive days for properties not occupied by a principal resident
• a provincial host registry is anticipated in 2025
Please review the new provincial rules for short-term rentals.
City of Victoria Regulations
Short-Term Rentals
A lawful short-term rental licence is required to advertise and operate accommodation of less than 30 consecutive nights. If you are interested in short-term rental accommodation, please refer to the eligibility section below.
Long-Term Rentals
If you are offering an accommodation for more than 30 consecutive nights, you may require a Long-Term Rental Property Business Licence. You can apply for a long-term licence here.
City of Victoria Short-Term Rental Eligibility
Both provincial and municipal regulations for short-term rentals must be followed.
Here is what you need to know about City of Victoria regulations:
- In order to operate rentals of less than 30 nights, individuals must first have a lawful Short-Term Rental Business Licence.
All operators must comply with both Victoria's Short-Term Rental Regulation Bylaw and Schedule D – Home Occupations.
What kind of dwellings can be used for short-term rentals?
- Short-term rentals are only permitted in your principal dwelling unit.
- Short-term rental cannot occupy an entire self-contained dwelling unit.
If licensed, how am I allowed to operate?
- While you are away, you can rent your entire unit for no more than 160 nights in a calendar year.
- While you are home, you can rent no more than two bedrooms in your principal dwelling unit throughout the year.
Tenants may be eligible to have a short-term rental as long as owner consent is provided on the business licence application.
Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application
You may apply for a short-term rental business licence by sending a complete application and supporting documentation to str@victoria.ca.
2025 Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application
The cost of a Short-Term Rental Business Licence is $150. If at some point you become ineligible to operate a short-term rental as a result of regulation changes, you will not be reimbursed or receive a discount on your licence fee.
Note: You must include all required documents and consent (owner and strata) for your application to be reviewed. All Short-Term Rental Business Licences expire January 15 and must be re-applied for annually.
Appeal Process
If you are denied a Short-Term Rental Business Licence, you may ask that City Council reconsiders your application. You will have the opportunity to submit your reasons for reconsideration. Council may decide to either uphold or deny your appeal.
Short-Term Rental Business Licence Appeal Process Policy
Start a request for appeal by sending an email to the City Clerk’s Office at legislativeservices@victoria.ca.