This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot 2b7809135a49 · verified 2026-10-18 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
### Business, Building & Development
# Short Term Rentals
### What's New in 2026?
The Town has adopted a new Non-Principal-Residence Short-Term Rental Business Licence Allocation Policy and updated its Business Licence Bylaw to align with Zoning Bylaw No. 1342.
**Key changes include:**
* a maximum of 35 Non-Principal-Residence STR Business Licences outside the CM-1 zone;
* annual renewal priority for existing eligible licence holders;
* a formal First-Come, First-Served waitlist process when all licences have been allocated;
* confirmation that Non-Principal-Residence STR licences are not transferable; and
* updated definitions and licensing requirements that align with current provincial and local regulations.
The Town regulates Short-Term Rentals to support housing availability for residents while continuing to provide visitor accommodation. The current framework includes zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, and a maximum of 35 Non-Principal-Residence Short-Term Rental Business Licences outside the CM-1 Mixed-Use Commercial Lower Gibsons Zone.
A Short-Term Rental means the accessory use of a dwelling unit, or a portion of a dwelling unit, for the accommodation of paying guests, but is not a residential tenancy.
All Short-Term Rentals operating in the Town of Gibsons require a valid Town of Gibsons Business License and must comply with the Town's Zoning Bylaw, Business License Bylaw, and applicable provincial requirements.
## Short-Term Rental License Types
**There are two types of Short-Term Rental Business Licenses in Gibsons:**
### **1.Principal-Residence Short-Term Rentals**
**A Principal-Residence STR is operated in the operator's principal residence.**
Outside the CM-1 Mixed-Use Commercial Lower Gibsons Zone, a Principal-Residence STR may operate:
* in up to two bedrooms of the operator's principal residence while the operator is living in the dwelling unit during the guest stay; or
* in the operator's principal residence for up to three months in a calendar year when the operator is not living in the dwelling unit during the guest stay.
\*There is no limit on the number of Principal-Residence STR Business Licenses.
Annual Business License Fee: $200
### 2. Non-Principal-Residence Short-Term Rentals
**A Non-Principal-Residence STR is a Short-Term Rental operating in a dwelling unit that is not the principal residence of the operator.**
* Outside the CM-1 Mixed-Use Commercial Lower Gibsons Zone, the Town has established a maximum of 35 Non-Principal-Residence STR Business Licenses.
* These licenses are allocated through a Continuous Renewal process for existing eligible license holders, followed by a First-Come, First-Served waitlist when licenses become available
\*A maximum of 35 licences are available each year.
Annual Business License Fee: $2,000
***\*Please note: STRs in the CM-1 Zone Mixed-Use Commercial Lower Gibsons Zone, Short-Term Rentals are not subject to the principal residence requirement or the 35-license cap.***
## Application and Annual License Fees
**One-time Application Fee (new applicants only):** $400
**Annual Business License Fee:**
* Principal-Residence STR: $200 per year
* Non-Principal-Residence STR: $2,000 per year
## How to Apply
* ##### Principal-Residence STR (Applications are open)
**Submit:**
* completed STR Business License Application Form;
* required supporting documentation;
* applicable fees; and
* any owner or strata approval, if applicable.
* ##### Non-Principal-Residence STR (Licence cap reached - Waitlist is open)
**Submit:**
* completed STR Business License Application Form;
* required supporting documentation;
* applicable fees; and
* any owner or strata approval, if applicable.
Non-Principal-Residence STR Waitlist
**If all 35 Non-Principal-Residence STR licenses have been allocated, applicants may register on the waitlist.**
*The maximum of 35 Non-Principal-Residence Short-Term Rental Business Licences has now been reached. New applications are no longer being accepted at this time.*
*Applicants wishing to obtain a Non-Principal-Residence STR Business Licence may apply to be added to the waitlist. Waitlisted applications will be considered in the order they are received if a licence becomes available.*
***Current number of applications on the waitlist = 3 (updated September 10, 2026)***
#### How to join the waitlist
###### Non-Principal-Residence STR Waitlist
When all 35 Non-Principal-Residence STR Business Licenses have been allocated, applicants may register on a waitlist. Waitlist priority is determined by the date and time the Town's email server receives a complete waitlist registration email.
To join the waitlist, email [email protected] with:
* full name;
* telephone number;
* email address;
* address of the proposed STR; and
* type of dwelling unit, such as detached house, apartment unit, secondary suite, duplex unit, or garden suite.
No application fee or supporting documentation is required to be placed on the waitlist.
Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee that a Business License will be issued.
When a license becomes available, the Town will contact the next applicant on the waitlist and invite them to submit a complete Business License application, supporting documentation, and applicable fees within the timeframe established by Town policy.
* ##### Business License Renewal
**STR Business Licenses must be renewed every year.**
**Renewal requirements may include:**
* completed STR Renewal Application Form;
* current copy of property title, or payment for the Town to obtain title;
* completed guest safety attestation;
* plans showing any changes to the rental, such as floor plans, parking, or rooms; and
* payment of the annual Business License fee once the license is ready for pickup.
**Licences are Non-Transferable**
Short-Term Rental Business Licenses are not transferable between:
* owners;
* properties;
* dwelling units on a property;
* corporations; or
* operators.
A Short-Term Rental Business License expires upon sale or transfer of the property, change in property ownership, change in operator, or transfer of the license holder's interest in the property.
#### Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry
#### Before operating, Short-Term Rental operators must register with the Province's Short-Term Rental Registry using the Business License number issued by the Town of Gibsons.
Registration with the Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry does not replace the requirement to obtain a Town of Gibsons Business License.
### Resources
STR Business Licence Application Form
STR Business Licence Application Guide & FAQ
STR Business Licence Renewal Form
Business Licence Bylaw
Zoning Bylaw
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw
Provincial Short-Term Rental Registry
STR Business Allocation Policy
### Frequently Asked Questions
#### Definitions
**Bedroom** means a room located within a Dwelling Unit that is used for sleeping.
**Business Licence** means a valid business license issued by the Town authorizing operation of a Short-Term Rental.
**Complete Application** means an application submitted with all required forms and supporting documentation satisfactory to the Town.
**Continuous Renewal** means an annual license renewal process that prioritizes existing, compliant license holders.
**Dwelling unit** means a self-contained room or set of rooms, with a private entrance, that is designed and intended to be occupied as a residence, and includes, at a minimum, separate and distinct sleeping, sanitary and Cooking Facility.
**Non-Principal Residence STR** means a Short-Term Rental operating in a dwelling unit that is not the principal residence of the operator, as regulated by the Town's Zoning Bylaw and Business License Bylaw.
\*A separate Dwelling Unit on the same property as the owner's principal residence is considered a Non-Principal Residence STR under the Town of Gibsons' STR regulations.
**Operating** means actively providing short-term accommodation for compensation.
**Principal Residence** means a single Dwelling Unit where a person lives at least nine months in a calendar year and conducts their daily affairs, including, without limitation, paying bills and receiving mail, and is the Dwelling Unit with the residential address used on documentation related to billing, identification, taxation and insurance purposes, including, without limitation, income tax returns, Medical Services Plan documentation, driver's licenses, personal identification, and vehicle registration.
**Recreational Vehicle** means a motor vehicle or a vehicle towed by a motor vehicle, providing accommodation and includes travel trailer, tent trailer, camper, caravan, and motor home.
**Residential Tenancy** means the use of an entire Dwelling Unit or portion thereof under a tenancy agreement that has a term of 30 days or more and is subject to the Residential Tenancy Act.
**Short-term Rental** means the Accessory Use of a Dwelling Unit, or a portion of a Dwelling Unit, for the accommodation of paying guests, but is not a Residential Tenancy.
**Short-term Rental Operator** means a person who is listed as the operator on a valid Town of Gibsons Short-Term Rental business licence.
**Waitlist** means the list maintained by the Town of persons seeking a Non-Principal-Residence Short-Term Rental business license.
**Waitlist Registration** means the information required under Section 7.3.3 to establish a position on the Waitlist.
#### I have a Town of Gibsons short-term rental business licence, do I still need to apply for short term rental use with the Province?
Yes, the province has developed a new regulation under the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act to implement a provincial short-term rental registry. More information can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/registry
#### Is my suite considered an entire dwelling unit?
An entire dwelling unit means a self-contained room or set of rooms, with a private entrance, that is designed and intended to be occupied as a residence, and includes, at a minimum, separate and distinct sleeping, sanitary and cooking facilities.
#### I'm a pre-existing bed and breakfast; do I still need to apply for a short-term rental business licence?
Yes, all new and pre-existing short-term rentals, need to apply for a business licence.
#### Can I rent out my travel trailer for short-term rental while I'm not using it?
No, only legally permitted dwelling units are eligible for a short-term rental licence.
#### My secondary suite wasn't constructed with a building permit; can I still apply to use my suite for short-term rental?
No, your dwelling unit must be legally permitted. You can contact the building department to discuss permitting requirements at [email protected]
#### I'm a tenant, can I operate a short-term rental out of my home?
Yes, please make sure to complete the landlord consent form along with the other required documents.
##### Contacts
**Planning Department**
604-886-2274
[email protected]
**Building Department**
[email protected]
**Bylaw Enforcement Department**
[email protected]