BC (province)

Exemptions for Strata Hotels and Motels from Short-Term Rental Rules

Ministry of Housing
Date: 2024-03-27
development


The British Columbia government is taking action to ensure that new short-term rental rules will continue to provide more long-term homes for people, while helping certain existing strata hotels and motels continue providing overnight accommodation.

Upcoming regulations are intended to provide criteria for exemptions for strata hotels and motels from the Province's principal-residence requirement for short-term rentals, which is set to go into effect in many B.C. communities on May 1, 2024.

Exemptions for Strata Hotels and Motels

  • Option 1: Before December 8, 2023, the strata hotel or motel was providing accommodation in a manner similar to a hotel or motel and on that date had and continues to have: a staffed front desk on site, one or more employees or contractors that provide housekeeping services for overnight accommodations, and a platform providing platform services available exclusively for the use of owners offering short-term rentals at the property.

  • Option 2: Before December 8, 2023, the strata hotel or motel was providing accommodation in a manner similar to a hotel or motel, and more than one strata lot on the property is not able to be used as a principal residence by anyone due to a restriction under zoning, a rental management agreement, or a restrictive covenant.

  • The exemption is expected to apply to all units on the property, providing consistent treatment.

  • Newly constructed strata hotels and motels, first capable of being occupied on or after December 8, 2023, must have all three services listed in Option 1, in addition to one of the legal-use restrictions described in Option 2, to be exempt.

Homes for People Action Plan

  • Action to turn more short-term rentals into long-term homes is part of the Province's Homes for People action plan, announced in spring 2023.

  • The plan builds on historic action to deliver housing since 2017 and sets out further actions to deliver the homes people need faster, while creating more vibrant communities throughout B.C.

Main minute