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Snapshot 003103c872c9 · verified 2026-10-26 ·
original document ·
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unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
May 2026
DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
2167 Oak Bay Ave
Victoria BC V8R 1G2
Phone: 250-598-3311 | Email: [email protected]
Account #
Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application
Short-term rentals operating within the District of Oak Bay are required to hold a valid Business Licence. The
information requested in this application is required to enable review of your Business Licence application in
accordance with applicable bylaws and regulations.
Submission of a completed application does not constitute approval or issuance of a Business Licence.
Personal information collected on this form is collected under the authority of applicable District of Oak Bay bylaws
and Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) and will be used for
the purpose of administering this application. Questions regarding the collection of this information may be directed
to the Corporate Services Department at [email protected] or 250-598-3311.
Short-Term Rental Address:
Address:
City: OAK BAY
Province: BC
Postal Code:
Operator/Host Contact: (person who short-term rental business licence will be issued to)
Last Name:
First Name:
Address
Postal Code:
Phone:
Alternate Phone:
Email Address:
Alternate/Emergency Contact:
Last Name:
First Name:
Phone:
Alternative Phone:
Email Address:
Owner Information: (If not operator/host)
Last Name:
First Name:
Address:
Postal Code:
Phone:
Email Address:
Short-Term Business Licence Application
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Short-Term Rental Regulatory Requirements
Applicants must review the requirements below and provide the required documentation to demonstrate
compliance with the District of Oak Bay Zoning Bylaw, Business Licence Bylaw, and other applicable regulations.
Principal Residence Requirement - Proof must be provided that the short-term rental is operated within the
operator/host's principal residence.
Owner Consent Requirement - Where the operator/host is a tenant, written consent from the registered property
owner must be provided.
Ownership Requirement (Accessory Unit / Suite) - If the short-term rental is in a secondary suite or accessory
dwelling unit, the operator must be the property's registered owner.
Emergency Contact Information - Host and alternate contact information for response during rental periods
must be provided to the District and posted in the short-term rental unit.
Signage Not Permitted
No sign relating to a residential business may be erected on residential premises.
Noise - A residential business (including a short-term rental) must not create noise, vibrations, smoke, vapours, or
electrical interference.
Residential Business - Merchandise Restrictions - Merchandise may not be displayed, sold, or purchased on
the premises of a residential business (including a short-term rental).
Regulatory Compliance Information - Additional information may be required by the Licence Inspector to
confirm compliance with municipal, provincial, and federal regulations.
Building Permit Compliance - The dwelling unit, whether a principal dwelling, secondary suite, or accessory
dwelling unit, must have been built under an approved Building Permit & received final inspection
approval.
Maximum Short-Term Rental Nights - Short-term rentals are limited to a maximum of 60 overnight stays per
calendar year.
Maximum Number of Short-Term Rentals per Parcel of Land - Only one short-term rental is permitted per
parcel of land
Strata Properties - Where the short-term rental is located within a strata property, the applicant is responsible for
complying with applicable strata bylaws.
Smoke Alarms - Smoke Alarms to be located per BC Building Code (Div. B Article 9.10.19.3)
Located on each storey, including basements
Located within each sleeping room
Located between the sleeping rooms and the remainder of the storey. If the sleeping rooms are served by
a hallway, the smoke alarm shall be located in the hallway.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms per BC Building Code (Division B Article 9.32.4.2)
Any residential occupancy that contains a fuel-burning appliance or a storage garage requires a carbon
monoxide alarm in each bedroom or within 5m of bedroom doors
Any residential occupancy that contains a solid fuel (wood) burning appliance requires a carbon monoxide
alarm on or near the ceiling.
If a carbon monoxide is required in a House with Secondary Suite, all the carbon monoxide alarms shall
be interconnected.
By signing below, I confirm that I have reviewed and understood the requirements listed above and agree
to comply with all applicable bylaws and regulations governing short-term rentals.
Signature
Date
SIGN
Short-Term Business Licence Application
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Short-Term Rental Application Requirements For Submission
Submit a completed Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application Form
Submit proof of Principal Residence for the Short-Term Rental Operator/Host.1 2
Submit proof that the operator's principal residence is located on the same property1
(required if the Short-Term Rental is in a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit).
Submit a letter of consent from the registered property owner (required if the Short-Term Rental
host is a tenant).
$100.00 fee (payment due upon approval)
Submit a Scaled Fire Evacuation Plan (Digitally Produced Drawings only)
Operator's full name and contact information
Property address
Contact for emergency responders - 911
Show complete floor plan and identify all bedroom(s) / area(s) of rental unit.
Fire exit route from each bedroom to the nearest exit door.
Include Legend and identify on plans
All Exits
Location of all beds
Smoke alarm locations
Carbon Monoxide alarm locations
Fire Extinguisher location - Min 1x 5lb ABC rated per floor located adjacent to the exit
along the exit path.
Instructions to occupants should they discover a fire
Plan must be readable and digitally produced.
1 Documents must be current. The name and address on the documents must match the Short-Term Rental
operator/host and the address of the short-term rental.
2 Acceptable documents include:
- BC Driver's Licence
- BC Services Card
- Home Owner Grant confirmation
- Affidavit stating legal name and principal residence
Other documentation demonstrating principal residence may be accepted at the discretion of the Licence
Inspector. Additional examples of acceptable documentation are available on the Province of British Columbia
Short-Term Rental website. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals
Complete submissions may be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off at
Municipal Hall, Attention: Business Licence Department.
May 2026
THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF OAK BAY
FIRE DEPARTMENT 1703 MONTEREY AVENUE, VICTORIA, B.C., CANADA V8R 5V6
PHONE 250-592-9121 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.oakbay.ca
Fire Safety Requirements
Every Short-Term Rental operator is required to have appropriate safety measures in place to
protect guests in the event of an emergency. A Fire Evacuation Plan must be submitted with a
Short-Term Rental Business License application. A Fire Inspector will, with a Building Official
will review the Fire Evacuation Plan.
Subsequent annual Fire Safety Inspections for Short Term Rentals will be conducted by the
property owner/manager. The mandatory Fire Safety Self-Assessment must be submitted
annually, prior to the issuance of the subsequent year's Short-Term Rental Business Licence.
Short Term Rental Business License will not be granted unless all fire and life safety
requirements are met to the satisfaction of the Fire Inspector and Building Official.
The following items, plus additional items if deemed necessary, will be required for Short-Term
Rental Businesses.
Fire Evacuation Plan
Once approved by the Fire Inspector, the evacuation plan must be permanently fixed within the
dwelling unit, are required to be posted in each sleeping room on the back of the door or directly
adjacent to the door, and in a conspicuous location on each floor level provided for the purposes
of the Short-Term Rental. The evacuation plan must include the following information:
1. Fire Evacuation Plan (Digitally Produced Drawings only)
2. Operator's name and contact information
3. Property address
4. Contact for emergency responders - 911
5. Identify bedroom(s) / area of rental unit. Include all floor if renting whole house
6. Fire exit route from each bedroom to the nearest exit door.
7. Include Legend and identify on plans
-
All Exits
-
Location of all beds
-
Smoke alarm locations
-
Carbon Monoxide alarm locations
-
Fire Extinguisher location - Min 1x 5lb ABC rated per floor located adjacent to the
exit along the exit path.
-
Instructions to occupants should they discover a fire
Fire Extinguishers
A minimum of one 5lb ABC rated fire extinguisher is required on each floor level.
The fire extinguishers should be located adjacent to the exit or along the exit path in accordance
with National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 10 "Portable Fire Extinguishers". Access to any
fire extinguishers must be kept clear and obstruction free at all times.
Fire extinguishers should be mounted no more than 1.5m or 5' from the floor and a minimum of
102mm or 4" of clearance from the floor.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in each sleeping room and
between each sleeping area and the remainder of the dwelling unit, and where the sleeping
areas are served by hallways, the smoke alarms shall be installed in the hallways, and
otherwise in conformance with the BC Building Code. (Division B Article 9.10.19.3 Smoke
Alarms).
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 8 to 10 years or sooner if they fail monthly checks or
frequent alarms.
Carbon monoxide alarms are required, as per BC Building Code (Division B Article 9.32.4.2), in
any dwelling any residential occupancy that contains a fuel-burning appliance or a storage
garage requires a carbon monoxide alarm in each bedroom or within 5m of bedroom doors.
Any residential occupancy that contains a solid fuel (wood) burning appliance requires a carbon
monoxide alarm on or near the ceiling.
For questions related to the required Fire Evacuation Plan, please contact the District of Oak
Bay Fire Department at (250) 592-9121 or [email protected].
EVACUATION PLAN
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE OR HEAR A FIRE ALARM
Evacuate the building via the nearest safe exit
Phone 911 from a safe location
Assist persons requiring assistance
DO NOT RE-ENTER the building unless Directed by Fire Department
personnel
ASSEMBLE clear of the building and arriving fire apparatus
Civic Address
1234 OAK BAY AVE, VICTORIA BC
Operator Contact Information
Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx
Email: [email protected]
Emergency Contact Information
Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx