In the the City of Victoria as well as in the different districts such as Langford, Sidney, Saanich, Central and North Saanich as well as View Royal, different bylaws apply in regards to vacation rentals. This results in different business license requirements where applicable to operate a vacation rental.
Victoria Prime will be able to advise you on the business license requirements to operate your vacation rental.
Victoria
As per the City of Victoria bylaws, Short Term Rentals (less than 30 day stays) are only permitted in primary residences (homes and condos). However, the short term rental is rather limited as it cannot occupy an entire self-contained dwelling unit (home or condo), except occasionally while the owner/renter is away. For homes with self contained suites, the suite cannot be used for short term rental.
The owner/renter can therefore rent the entire dwelling unit 3-4x/year short term (under 30 days). Or up to 2 beds in the home while the owner/renter is living in the home.
Long term (30+ day stays) are permitted in both primary and non-primary residences (homes and condos).
See also info sheet on STR rentals in Victoria.
Please note that all above is subject to building strata bylaws where applicable.
Business license is required for Short- and Long Term Rental
Victoria
Short Term Rental – Exception to the Rule
For non-primary residences, the City of Victoria bylaws permit Short-Term Rentals only in legal non-conforming buildings (where short term rentals were a permitted use before the change of the bylaws in 2017). The legal non-conforming buildings in Victoria are as follows:
595 Pandora, 601 Herald, Astoria, Cityzen, Corazon, ERA, Falls, Juliet, Legato, Leiser, Mermaid Wharf, Monaco, Oriental, Palladian, The Janion, The SoHo, Union and Vogue.
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See also info sheet on STR rentals in Victoria.
Please note that all above is subject to building strata bylaws where applicable.
Business license is required for Short-Term Rental
View Royal
Vacation rentals, AirBNB and any other form of non-residential commercial overnight accommodation or transient accommodation are prohibited as a home occupation.
This as per the amended bylaws that came into effect in Fall 2022.
Langford
You can rent out your entire home for short term (less than 30 day stays) or long term (30+ day stays).
If home has a suite, then owner has to occupy either unit (suite or main floor) to rent out other unit.
Owner can also rent out bedrooms in the home if owner resides in the home, which would be considered a bed and breakfast and would require a B&B Licence.
Must also provide one onsite parking space if renting a suite and two onsite parking spaces if renting an entire home.
No Business License required for Short- and Long-Term Rental
Saanich
No short-term rentals permitted.
Long Term Rentals (30+ day stays) are permitted.
If the property has a suite, attached or detached, the owner is to occupy either unit to rent the other unit.
No Business License required
North Saanich
No short-term rentals permitted.
Only long term (30+ days) are permitted.
If property has a suite, attached or detached, owner to occupy either unit to rent other unit.
No Business License required
Central Saanich
No Short Term Rentals are permitted.
  Long Term Rentals (30+ day stays) are permitted.
If the property has a suite, attached or detached, the owner is to occupy either unit to rent the other unit.
No Business License required
Sidney
The Zoning Bylaw allows Short Term Rentals on most residential properties in Sidney, provided that certain requirements are met.
Long Term Rentals (31+ day stays) are permitted. If the property has a suite, detached or attached, the owner is to occupy either unit to rent the other unit.
No Business License required
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