The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (STRAA) requires that short-term rentals in designated communities be limited to the property where the host ordinarily lives (their principal residence), plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on that property. This means investor-owned condos or properties where the host does not reside generally cannot be operated as short-term rentals in covered areas. Verify current municipal designation status with your local government before relying on eligibility, as municipalities may opt out under certain conditions (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current).

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (STRAA) is the BC statute that imposes the principal residence requirement for short-term rentals in designated communities. The Act came into effect in phases beginning in 2024 (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). Verify the specific provisions and current regulatory framework with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Generally, no. Under the STRAA principal residence requirement, short-term rentals in designated communities must be the host's principal residence (where the host ordinarily lives), plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit. Investor-owned condos where the owner does not reside are generally prohibited from short-term rental use in covered areas. Verify current City of Vancouver regulations and your strata bylaws under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Under the STRAA, 'principal residence' means the property where the host ordinarily lives. The host must use the property as their primary home, not just own it. Verify the precise definition in the current STRAA regulations and how it applies to your specific living arrangement with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Yes, the STRAA principal residence requirement permits short-term rental of the host's principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property. A basement suite would generally qualify as a secondary suite, provided all local zoning, business licensing, and provincial requirements are met (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). Verify compliance with your municipality's short-term rental business licence regulations and any strata bylaws under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.

Effective June 1, 2026, the City of Kelowna is opting out of the principal residence requirement under a one-time provincial regulation (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). This means the principal residence restriction does not apply to short-term rentals in Kelowna starting June 1, 2026, subject to local municipal bylaws and licensing. Verify current Kelowna municipal short-term rental regulations and opt-out status directly with the City of Kelowna before acting.

Beginning in 2027, eligible municipalities with a rental vacancy rate of 3% or higher for two consecutive years may opt out of the principal residence requirement by submitting a council resolution by February 28 for a June 1 effective date (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). Opt-out status can change year-to-year, so confirm current municipal status with your local government before relying on short-term rental eligibility. Verify the current provincial regulation and your municipality's opt-out status with a BC lawyer or your local government before acting.

Contact your local municipal government directly to confirm whether your area is a designated community under the STRAA and whether the municipality has opted out of the principal residence requirement. Opt-out status can change annually (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), so verification must be current. Verify the specific rules and business licensing requirements for short-term rentals in your municipality with your local government or a BC lawyer before acting.

No, the STRAA principal residence requirement applies only to designated communities specified in the provincial regulations. Not all BC municipalities are designated, and some designated municipalities may opt out if they meet eligibility criteria (3% or higher vacancy rate for two consecutive years, as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). Verify whether your municipality is designated and its current opt-out status with your local government before acting.

No. The STRAA sets provincial minimum standards, but strata corporations retain the authority under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43, to restrict or prohibit short-term rentals through bylaws. Even if the STRAA principal residence requirement permits a short-term rental, a strata bylaw prohibition takes precedence. Verify your strata's current bylaws and any rental restriction bylaws with a BC lawyer or notary before acting.