DeedWorthGuide · QuebecAirbnb vs Long-Term Rental in BC: Rules and the Real Math
British Columbia has the toughest STR framework in Canada. Start with the law before the revenue.
The law first: provincial + municipal
Under BC's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act:
- Provincial registration is required; the registration number must be displayed on every listing, and platforms remove unregistered listings.
- A principal-residence requirement applies in communities over 10,000 people (as of June 1, 2026): you can rent only your principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property.
- Secondary/investment properties generally cannot be used for STR in those communities.
- STR is defined as accommodation for under 90 consecutive days. This sharply limits pure-investment STR in most BC urban markets — check your community's status first.
How much short-term rental earns
Gross revenue = average nightly rate (ADR) × 365 × occupancy. But gross is misleading: platform, cleaning, management, furnishing and seasonal vacancy costs are far heavier than long-term renting. The real question: what occupancy do you need to beat long-term once all costs are out? That is your break-even.
Long-term: less revenue, more stability
Long-term renting offers predictable income, low costs and little management, with no STR registration. In return, rents are regulated. For many investors it is the stable core; STR only pays on specific assets and locations.
Compare before you commit
The verdict depends on zoning, seasonality and management cost. DeedWorth compares short-term and long-term for the same property — revenue, costs, STR premium, break-even occupancy and a verdict. Compare short-term vs long-term with DeedWorth →
FAQ
Do I need to register a short-term rental in BC? Yes. BC requires provincial registration, and the number must appear on every listing. Platforms remove unregistered listings.
Can I run an Airbnb in a BC investment property? In communities over 10,000 people, generally no: the principal-residence requirement limits STR to your principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit as of June 1, 2026.
What counts as short-term in BC? Accommodation provided for under 90 consecutive days.
Is short-term more profitable than long-term in BC? Where it is even allowed, only at high occupancy after heavy platform, cleaning, management and vacancy costs. In most urban BC markets the rules now favour long-term.
For information only. STR rules vary by municipality and change; verify zoning and requirements with your city and province. Last verified: June 2026.