| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — City of Victoria short-term rental business licence and BC Provincial registry number required. |
| Tax Rate | 16% total tax on stays (including 5% GST, 8% PST, and 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT)). |
| Night / Day Cap | No nightly cap, but must be the operator's primary home. |
| Minimum Stay | None. |
| Permit Fee | Licence fees start at $1,500/year for non-owner occupied units (where grandfathered) or $150/year for principal residence rooms. |
| Penalties | Fines up to $3,000 per day for operators and up to $10,000 per day for platforms for non-compliant listings. |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes — STRs are limited to the operator's principal dwelling unit only. Non-principal residence rentals are prohibited. |
| Occupancy Limit | Capped by bedroom count (typically max 2 adults per bedroom). |
Short-term rentals in Victoria, British Columbia are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — City of Victoria short-term rental business licence and BC Provincial registry number required.. The associated permit fees are Licence fees start at $1,500/year for non-owner occupied units (where grandfathered) or $150/year fo.
Short-term rental operators in Victoria should be aware of these tax obligations: 16% total tax on stays (including 5% GST, 8% PST, and 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT)).. Yes — subject to federal GST and provincial PST/MRDT registration if earning thresholds met..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Victoria include: Primary residence requirement: Yes — STRs are limited to the operator's principal dwelling unit only. Non-principal residence rentals are prohibited.. Rental day cap: No nightly cap, but must be the operator's primary home.. Occupancy limit: Capped by bedroom count (typically max 2 adults per bedroom).. Minimum stay: None..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Victoria: Banned in entire self-contained accessory dwelling units, garden suites, or secondary properties. Restricted to the operator's principal residence. Existing non-conforming use protections were removed. Density rules: None, as principal residence requirement effectively caps non-owner occupied unit counts.. Insurance: Yes — commercial liability insurance required..
Hosts who fail to comply with Victoria's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to $3,000 per day for operators and up to $10,000 per day for platforms for non-compliant listings..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Victoria: Platforms must verify and display BC provincial registration numbers and remove unregistered listings within 15 days of a provincial request..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Victoria but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Provincial legislation removes local grandfathering of investment units, requiring active compliance audits across all platforms.
Yes. Victoria requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — City of Victoria short-term rental business licence and BC Provincial registry number required..
Short-term rental hosts in Victoria are subject to the following tax obligations: 16% total tax on stays (including 5% GST, 8% PST, and 3% Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT))..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Victoria may face enforcement. Fines up to $3,000 per day for operators and up to $10,000 per day for platforms for non-compliant listings..
One of the most highly restricted markets in Canada. The British Columbia government has overridden local zoning to enforce primary residence rules province-wide.
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