Short-Term Rental Accommodations

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About Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (STRAA) supports communities by regulating short-term rentals based on community needs such as balancing residential needs, affordability and tourist accommodation needs. Under STRAA short-term rentals are accommodations provided to members of the public on a host’s property, in exchange for money, for a period of less than 90 consecutive days.

Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act

SRD Zoning: Areas That Permit Short-Term Rentals

  • Electoral Area A, Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward: R-1 and R-2 zones in the Menzies Bay Zoning Bylaw No. 1794 Area
  • Electoral Area B, Cortes Island: All zones where residential use is permitted
  • Electoral Area C, Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets: All zones where residential use is permitted
  • Electoral Area D, Oyster Bay-Buttle Lake: All zones where residential use is permitted

All Short-Term Rental Hosts in the SRD must register with the Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry. You do not need a business licence to operate a short-term rental.

Register your Short-Term Rental  

Electoral Area Participation

A key provision of the STRAA is the Principal Residence Requirement (PRR). The PRR limits the operation of STRs to a host’s principal residence, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the same property. This provision applies along with local bylaws that regulate STRs (such as zoning bylaws).

It applies automatically to municipalities with populations greater than 10,000 and adjacent communities (with some exemptions). In regional districts, electoral areas are exempted, but each electoral area may choose to opt in by SRD Board resolution.

Once an Electoral Area has opted in, the PRR remains in effect indefinitely. Electoral Areas may change their participation in the PRR by SRD Board resolution before the annual deadline—either by opting out if currently participating or opting in if not.

  • To opt in or out - March 31, annually
  • To take effect - November 1, annually

The following Electoral Areas opted in to the Principal Residence Requirement in 2024:

  • Electoral Area B, Cortes Island
  • Electoral Area C, Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets

The following Electoral Areas chose to not opt-in to the Principal Residence Requirement in 2024:

  • Electoral Area A, Sayward Valley
  • Electoral Area D, Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake 

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