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# Short-Term Rental Regulations
City of Vernon has updated its short-term rental regulations to align with Provincial legislation.
A short-term rental is the rental of a dwelling unit and is permitted only within a single-family home, secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, an apartment, duplex or muli-family for less than 90 consecutive days. Operators must follow rules and regulations to legally rent residences on a short-term basis.
Short term accommodations have an important role in our economy and licensing and regulations reduce impacts to neighbourhoods, protect long term rental supply and ensure operators are accountable for the wellbeing and safety of guests and residents.
Anyone operating a short-term rental must apply for a business licence in the City of Vernon.
## Eligibility and Licensing Requirements
Before applying for a business licence, applicants must meet several requirements.
In addition to the City requirements listed below, short-term rental operators must also meet Provincial requirements. For more information on provincial requirements please visit: Short-term rentals - Province of British Columbia and registration with the Province.
* + Principal residence means the residence in which an individual resides for a longer period of time in a calendar year than any other place. (Strata-Titled Hotel and Motel. Please see information below.)
+ If a secondary suite or accessory building is used for a short-term rental accommodation, it must be operated by a principal resident that resides at a dwelling unit on the same lot as the secondary suite or accessory building.
+ Principal residence does not apply to a property in the case that the operator holds a fractional interest and the fractional ownership agreement prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence.
+ For properties within the Agricultural Land Reserve, short-term rental accommodation must be in accordance with City regulations and the Agricultural Land Reserve.
* + Exempt from Principal Residence if accommodation is provided in a manner like that of a hotel or motel and meets the conditions for exemption from the principal residence required related to strata-titled hotels or motels as prescribed under the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Regulation.
+ Provide the number of units contained in the strata, as well as the number of units in operation for short-term rentals as part of the Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel. The licence fee for a Strat-Titled Hotel or Motel will be calculated based on the total number of units contained in the strata.
**A Short-Term Rental Business Licence cannot be issued for an individual strata lot in a Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel. The President of the Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel is to apply for the Business Licence.**
* Local Contact information of a responsible person that must be available to attend the property where the short-term rental is located, on behalf of the owner with the authority to address any concerns or complaints within 1 hour of requests or complaints.
* + No more than one booking or reservation is permitted in each dwelling unit at one time.
+ Accommodate no more than two guests per bedroom up to a maximum of eight (8) guests per dwelling unit at any one time.
+ Operators must provide one designated parking spot on the premises per bedroom, to be used exclusively for patron vehicles, and clearly marked as such.
* + Your short-term rental accommodation must have appropriate safety measures in place to protect guests in the event of an emergency.
+ Provide contact information for someone who is available to respond to incidents 24/7.
+ Install a fire extinguisher on each floor, which must be wall mounted and visible: it cannot be stored in a closet or cupboard.
+ Smoke alarms shall be operated monthly to ensure they are operational. A logbook shall be kept indicating the test dates. Smoke alarms shall be replaced after 10 years
+ Test annually, and maintain in working order, all smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors.
* As the fire evacuation must be posted at all entrances and exits and in each approved sleeping unit, applications must be submitted with a complete plan. The fire evacuation plan must include the following information.
+ Instructions to occupants in the event of a fire
+ Operator's name
+ Address of the property
+ Responsible Person contact (name and number of someone who is locally available 24 hours a day to address immediate concerns)
+ Emergency contact number (911)
+ Designated meeting point
+ Secondary exit path from bedrooms(s)
+ Location of smoke/carbon monoxide alarms
+ Location of fire extinguishers
+ Location of fire exists from the rental property
+ Location of window exits and the size of their unobstructed openings
+ Legend to the symbols used in drawing
+ The entire dwelling unit must be included with all sleeping units labelled for short-term rental use
View a sample Fire Evacuation Plan.
* One designated parking spot is required on the Premises per bedroom, to be used exclusively for patron vehicles, and clearly marked as such.
## Applying for a Business Licence
A business licence is required to own or operate any business within the City of Vernon. Licences are renewed annually and must be displayed in a prominent location within your place of business.
Once you have satisfied the requirements above, you can apply for a business license.
**For quicker processing of your application, please** **apply for a business licence online****.**
If you are unable to submit an online application, the forms below must all be completed before arriving to the Planning & Community Services building. **If the required forms are not completed in full, we will not be able to accept your application.**
* + Proof of principal residence of the property. Please provide the Provincial Homeowner's Grant or Owner Consent Form (if tenant is applying).
+ Fractional Ownership Agreement & Land Title must be provided in the case that the operator holds a fractional interest and the fractional ownership agreement prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence
+ Prepare a Fire Evacuation Plan of the dwelling unit identifying smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, each sleeping unit, the types.
+ Complete the following forms:
- Short Term Rental Business Licence Application
- Good Neighbour Agreement
- Owner Consent Form (If tenant is applying)
- Local Contact Form
- Strata Council Consent Form (if Strata)
+ Strata Resolution outlining that the Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel provides accommodation in a manner like a hotel or motel. (if application is for a Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel)
+ Documentation verify President of Strata Council. (If application is for a Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel)
+ Fractional Ownership Agreement, if applicable. (Operator holds a fractional interest which prohibits the use of the property as a principal residence.)
* + A non-refundable application fee of $150 must be paid at the time the application is submitted. If approved, an invoice will be provided and must be paid prior to the release of the licence. Business Licences for short-term rentals cost $400 and must be renewed annually.
+ Strata-Titled Hotel or Motel: A non-refundable application fee of $100.00 must be paid at the time the application is submitted. If approved, an invoice will be provided and must be paid prior to the release of the licence. Business Licence fee is $250.00 plus $5.00 for each short-term rental unit and must be renewed annually.
+ Accepted methods of payment inlcude cash, cheque, debit, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
+ The licence fee for a Short-Term Rental will be reduced by 50% for applications after the first day of July in any year. The following year, they will be charged the regular fees.
+ No refund shall be available for Short-Term Rental business licences for any reason.
* Business licences are set to renew automatically, and fees are applied to the accounts, unless a notification of cancellation has been received before January 31. Cancellation requests can be submitted by emailing [email protected].
## Compliance
The City actively works to ensure short-term rental operators comply with rules and regulations. Operators may face municipal fines, per offence. Illegal operation may result in enforcement by both the municipality and the province.
* + Operating without a valid business licence.
+ Operating contrary to zoning restrictions.
+ Listing or advertising a short-term rental without displaying a valid business licence.
+ Listing or advertising a short-term rental exceeding approved bedroom count on business licence.
+ Listing or advertising a short-term rental without indicating if parking is available or not.
+ Operating a short-term rental contrary to your business licence.
+ Operating in an unsafe or nuisance property.
+ Refusing entry for inspection by a Licence Inspector or City representative.
* The City actively inspects short-term rentals. Operators must provide access to their short-term rental accommodation for the City to inspect, upon request.
Operators understand that City staff may:
+ Audit short-term rental licences and all required documentation.
+ Request evidence that supports the information in a licence application
+ Request records of the short-term rental bookings and operation dates
+ Request records showing fire safety inspections and safety maintenance
* City bylaws ensure our community is a safe and enjoyable place for residents and visitors. Hosts must ensure guests are aware of the following rules, as well as any other rules set by your strata, if applicable.
**Noise:** Because many short-term rental properties are near other residential homes, please ensure your guests are considerate of the public and their neighbours at all times of day.
Bylaw: Good Neighbour Bylaw
**Parking:** Ensure your guests know where they can and can't park. Guests are responsible for abiding by parking regulations
Bylaw: Section 4 of the Traffic Bylaw
**Dogs:** Guests must control their dogs at all times and keep on a leash when outside, unless within a designated off-leash dog park. Guests must also pick up after their dog.
Bylaws: Animal Regulation and Animal Pound & Parks and Public Places
**Garbage and Recycling:** Hosts should ensure guests have access to recycling and garbage bins.
Learn more about residential garbage and recycling.
* Direct any nuisance complaints to Bylaw Services at 250-550-3505. If you're aware of a short-term rental business operating without a licence, contact our Business Licensing Department at [email protected].
## Background
The City prepared these regulations based on Council-endorsed guiding principles, in consultation with the public and stakeholders and in alignment with provincial regulations. The regulations aim to balance the interest in having short-term rentals in our community with measures that protect long-term rentals and limit impacts on neighbouring properties and uses.
**Short-Term Rental Operator's Guidebook**