Short-term rental bylaws: can a BC strata ban Airbnb?

Last reviewed November 10, 2026, against the current Strata Property Act, Strata Property Regulation and Standard Bylaws on BC Laws.

Why short-term rentals are different

Section 141 prohibits a strata from restricting the rental of a strata lot. A short stay by a paying guest through a booking platform is generally a licence to occupy, not a residential tenancy, so a bylaw aimed at it is a restriction on use, not on rental. The Regulation confirms the distinction by setting a special maximum fine for "a bylaw that prohibits or limits use of all or part of a residential strata lot for remuneration as vacation, travel or temporary accommodation".

The fines

These are maximums the bylaws may set. A strata must put the amount in its own bylaws to use it (section 132). A strata still relying on Standard Bylaw 23 is limited to $50, and has no short-term rental prohibition at all unless it has passed one.

Writing the bylaw

A workable bylaw has four parts.

1. The prohibition or limit, tracking the Regulation's words so the higher fine clearly applies.
2. A definition. Many stratas define short-term accommodation as occupancy for less than a stated period, commonly 30 days or one month, in exchange for payment.
3. Exceptions, if wanted: house-sitters, family, home exchanges without payment, a guest suite operated by the strata.
4. The fine and its frequency.

Pass it by a 3/4 vote at a general meeting with the wording in the notice, and file an Amendment to Bylaws (Form I). It has no effect until filed (section 128). See how to amend bylaws.

Enforcing it

The higher fine does not shorten the process. Section 135 applies in full.

1. A complaint. From an owner, the manager, or a council member's own observation put in writing.
2. Evidence. Screenshots of the listing with dates, reviews showing stays, booking calendars, fob or camera records where lawfully collected, statements from neighbours.
3. Written particulars to the owner, and to the tenant, landlord and owner if a tenant is hosting.
4. A reasonable opportunity to answer, including a hearing if requested.
5. A decision at a council meeting, and written notice of it as soon as feasible.
6. Continuing contravention. Once the strata has complied with section 135 for a contravention, it may impose fines for the continuing contravention without repeating the process (section 135(3)).

Be precise about what is "continuing". Separate bookings weeks apart may be separate contraventions needing fresh particulars. If fines do not stop the activity, the strata can seek an order from the Civil Resolution Tribunal or the Supreme Court requiring compliance.

Collecting the fines

Fines cannot be liened (section 116). They can be included on a Certificate of Payment (section 115), which matters when the owner sells, and collected through the tribunal or court. A strata may collect a tenant's fine from the tenant, the landlord or the owner (section 131).

Provincial and municipal rules

A strata bylaw is one of three layers.

• Provincial. BC's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act introduced a principal residence requirement in many communities, a provincial registry for hosts and platforms, and enforcement tools. Details and exemptions change, so check the provincial government's current short-term rental pages.
• Municipal. Many municipalities require a business licence and limit where and how short-term rentals operate.
• Strata. The bylaw.

A host must comply with all three. A municipal licence does not override a strata prohibition, and a strata with no bylaw does not exempt a host from provincial and municipal law. Where government registration requires proof that the strata permits short-term rentals, council should answer such requests accurately from the filed bylaws.

Insurance and security

Short-term guests bring more traffic, wear on common property and risk. Councils considering whether to allow them should ask the strata's insurance broker how the policy treats commercial accommodation use, and consider fob controls and a guest registration requirement.

If your strata has no bylaw

Without a specific bylaw, council is limited to general bylaws such as nuisance, noise and security under Standard Bylaw 3, enforced with ordinary fines. Owners who want a prohibition can demand that a resolution be placed on the agenda with 20% of the votes (section 46).

Questions councils and owners ask

Can a strata ban Airbnb in BC?

Yes, by a bylaw prohibiting use of a residential strata lot for remuneration as vacation, travel or temporary accommodation.

What is the maximum strata fine for short-term rentals?

Up to $1,000 for each contravention, which may be imposed daily, if the strata's bylaws set that amount.

Does the 2022 rental change stop a strata restricting short-term rentals?

No. That change concerns residential rentals. Short-term accommodation may still be restricted.

Does the strata have to give a hearing before a $1,000 fine?

It must give written particulars and a reasonable opportunity to answer, including a hearing if the person requests one.

Can short-term rental fines be liened against the unit?

No. Fines cannot be the subject of a lien.

This page is general information for BC strata corporations, not legal advice. Your strata's own filed bylaws may differ from the Standard Bylaws. See the current text of the Strata Property Act and the Strata Property Regulation on BC Laws.

Related guides

Rental Bylaws
Strata Fines
Bylaw Enforcement
Amending Bylaws
Bylaw Violation Letters
Security Cameras