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Short-term Residential
Rentals Guide
richmond.ca/ShortTermRental
What is a short-term rental?
The rental of part of a dwelling unit in the City of Richmond used to provide
overnight stay accommodations for any rental period less than 90 consecutive days
in exchange for payment.
Short-term rental operators MUST register with the City of Richmond in order to
operate. The City offers two (2) different licence options depending on your property
type. The property must meet ALL the criteria in order to qualify for a business licence.
Option 1: Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Business
Licence Requirements (Renewed Annually)
To qualify for a Bed and Breakfast business licence, the following criteria must be met:
- The residential rental must be a single detached house (not an apartment, duplex
or townhome) operated by the individual registered owner or an immediate
family member, such as a spouse or child. Must have written permission from the
registered owner.
- The operator MUST reside in the home as their principal residence.
- Operators must notify neighbours of the proposed bed and breakfast rental
operation and provide contact information.
- A maximum of three (3) rooms to be rented at the same time.
- Allow a maximum of six (6) guests, two (2) guests per room at any one time.
- A 500-metre distance from existing Bed and Breakfast (B&B) rentals will be
required for all new operations.
Option 2: Boarding and Lodging Business
Licence Requirements (Renewed Annually)
To qualify for a Boarding and Lodging licence, the following criteria must be met:
- The residential rental can be a single detached house, duplex, apartment or
townhouse.
- Must be operated from your principal residence by the individual registered
owner, a director of a corporate registered owner, or have written permission of
the registered owner. The operator MUST live in the home.
- Only allow a maximum of two (2) guests at any one time.
- If in a strata building, obtain written permission from the strata council and abide
by all the strata bylaws.
- Must NOT hold a Bed and Breakfast business licence.
- Hosts are not permitted to provide separate cooking facilities in the guest rooms.
- Not permitted in a secondary suite, coach house or granny flat.
Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Business Licence will
not be permitted for the following:
- Homes with secondary suites, granny flats or coach houses.
- In suites or rooms with separate cooking facilities.
- Must NOT hold a Boarding and Lodging business licence.
The homeowner or operator MUST be living in the home as the "host" for both types
of short-term rentals, whether they are a B&B or Boarding and Lodging business.
Short-term rental of the entire residence or residential unit for less than 90 days is
NOT allowed under any circumstance.
B&B and Boarding and Lodging operators are also encouraged to carry adequate liability
and property damage insurance as part of the Richmond B&B Code of Conduct.
Richmond's regulations are designed to prevent B&Bs and Boarding and Lodging
operations from taking over neighbourhoods. This helps to preserve the quality of
life in neighbourhoods by preventing excessive noise, traffic and parking demand. It
is also important to ensure that short-term rentals do not impact the current supply
of affordable housing rentals in the community.
Compliance
Clearly indicate your licence number for your short-term rental (STR)
property rental advisements, listings and online platforms. The Province will require
all Short Term Rentals (STR) to be registered on a new provincial registry.
A short-term rental business licence will NOT be issued if your property is not in
compliance with all city bylaw regulations, including having any active permits or
non-compliant files. Please refer to the following bylaws for all regulations and
requirements:
- Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (2002)
- Business Regulation Bylaw 7538 (2003)
- Richmond Zoning Bylaw 8500 (2009)
Richmond's regulations and short-term residential licensing requirements
provide consistent standards that support hosted short-term residential rentals
while preserving the high quality of life enjoyed in local neighbourhoods.
It's important for residents to understand these regulations and meet all
requirements before applying for a business licence.
Option 1: Applying for a Bed and
Breakfast business (B&B) Licence
To apply for a B&B business licence, please pick up an application package at Richmond
City Hall or download an application form at richmond.ca/ ShortTermRental.
Please have the following information ready:
- Identification to prove that you are a principal resident of the home or an
immediate family member who resides in the home. Must have written
permission from the registered owner.
- Floor plans of the home.
- Fire evacuation plan for each room proposed to be rented.
- Landscaping plan and site plan.
- Parking plan showing the parking spot for each guest.
- Application for any signs intended to identify the B&B business.
- Sample of the notification letter that will be provided to neighbours.
- Sample of the guest registration form (as per the Hotel Keepers Act).
The business licence fee can be found in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 or by
contacting the Business Licence Department.
Option 2: Applying for a Boarding and
Lodging Licence
To apply for a Boarding and Lodging business licence, please pick up an
application package at Richmond City Hall or download an application form at
richmond.ca/ShortTermRental.
Please have the following information ready:
- Sample of the guest registration form (as per the Hotel Keepers Act).
- Identification to prove that you are the individual registered owner, a director or
a corporate registered owner, or have the written permission of the owner.
- Application for any signs intended to identify the Boarding and Lodging business.
Enforcement
The City investigates complaints and is proactively reviewing existing short-
term rental operations and online advertising in the community to ensure they are
complying with the City's regulations. Fines related to short-term residential rentals
can range from a minimum penalty to a maximum penalty of $50,000, depending
on the specific bylaw and the severity of the violation.
Please send your bylaw concerns to [email protected] or call the Bylaw
Complaint line directly at 604-276-4345. This will ensure that your concerns are
dealt with in a prompt and efficient manner.
For more information:
City of Richmond
Business Licence Department
6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1
604-276-4328 | [email protected] | richmond.ca/ShortTermRental