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DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER | 1
DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER
Short-Term Rental
O P E R AT O R H A N D B O O K
DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER
Short-Term Rental
O P E R A T O R H A N D B O O K
CONTENTS
Being a responsible short-term rental operator . . . . 1
Why regulate short-term rentals? . . . . . . . 2
Responsible operator information . . . . . . . 3
Eligibility requirements . . . . . . . . . . 4
Short-term rentals business licence application process . . 6
Fire escape plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CONTACT US
Bylaw & Licensing Services
[email protected] | 604-925-7152
West Vancouver Municipal Hall
750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays
westvancouver.ca/STR
UPDATED JANUARY 2025
SHORT-TERM RENTAL HANDBOOK | 1
BEING A RESPONSIBLE SHORT-TERM RENTAL OPERATOR
in the District of West Vancouver
The District of West Vancouver has developed a framework to ensure
our community can benefit from the operation of short-term rentals
(STRs) in a safe, regulated manner. This approach aligns with changes
mandated by the Province, while taking into account community needs.
Operators are responsible for submitting the appropriate documents,
obtaining an STR business licence, and certifying their unit is compliant
prior to listing, marketing, or renting it. Please review this guide to
confirm you are eligible to operate an STR in West Vancouver.
The District offers two types of Short-Term Rental (STR) licences:
- STR Accommodation: Dwelling Unit Rental of a self-contained dwelling
that includes cooking facilities, such as a secondary suite.
- STR Accommodation: Lodger/Room Rental of a portion of a dwelling,
without cooking facilities, such as a bedroom.
Business licences expire on December 31 of each year
and require annual renewal.
For more information on the new regulations, licensing
requirements, and to download application forms,
please visit westvancouver.ca/STR.
2 | SHORT-TERM RENTAL HANDBOOK
WHY REGULATE STRs?
West Vancouver has a limited amount of visitor accommodation.
Before January 1, 2025, STRs were not permitted in the District, and
the Zoning Bylaw limited rental of a dwelling to a period of not less
than 30 consecutive days.
On October 26, 2023, the provincial government gave Royal Assent
to the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act. The legislation gives
local governments stronger tools to enforce short-term rental bylaws,
and to return unregulated short-term rental units to the long-term
rental housing market.
To better align with this provincial legislation, Council adopted bylaw
amendments to allow STRs in the District on November 25, 2024, with
the program coming into effect on January 1, 2025. These changes aim
to balance the need for visitor accommodation with community safety
and neighbourhood quality of life.
Regulating STRs will also provide the opportunity to:
- strengthen deterrence and enforcement options for illegal STRs;
- gain access to the Province's data-sharing portal and reporting
tools for non-compliant STRs;
- allow STR accommodation to increase the viability of the District
as a destination for visitors;
- return some homes to the long-term housing market; and
- allow operators another avenue for revenue generation in a
responsible regulated manner.
DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER | 3
RESPONSIBLE OPERATOR INFORMATION
Noise
Noise generated by STR guests, including yelling and loud or amplified
music, must not cause an unreasonable disturbance to the neighbours.
Dogs, birds, or other pets should not cause an excessive or unreasonable
amount of noise. Continuous or sporadic noise or music in excess of
15 minutes is considered an unreasonable disturbance. The complete
Noise Control Bylaw can be reviewed at westvancouver.ca/noise.
Parking
Ensure that your STR guests understand where they are permitted to
park. In West Vancouver, parking is prohibited: within 3 metres of inter
secting driveways, roadways, or lanes; within 5 metres of a fire hydrant;
within 6 metres of a stop sign, yield sign, flashing beacon, or traffic
signal; and in a laneway or on a roadway where the travelled portion is
less than 6 metres wide. You can review the District's Traffic and Parking
Bylaw for additional regulations at westvancouver.ca/parking.
Garbage & recycling
Garbage and recycling materials generated from an STR should be sorted
and stored appropriately. Garbage that is not properly stored and left
outside except during applicable collection days could result in harming
bears and other wildlife and fines to you. Wildlife attractants, such as
food waste and used food containers, must be stored in a wildlife-
resistant enclosure prior to collection. For more information please visit
westvancouver.ca/garbage.
Dogs
The District encourages responsible pet ownership. Please ensure that
all guests keep their dogs securely confined or under the immediate
care and control of a responsible person by means of a leash. Dog waste
should be disposed of appropriately. Visit westvancouver.ca/dogs for
more information on dog owner responsibilities. Details about dog-
friendly parks can be found at westvancouver.ca/leash.
4 | SHORT-TERM RENTAL HANDBOOK
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Through the application process, operators must declare that they
comply with all relevant requirements, including the following:
Property
a) Operators looking to run an STR in a secondary suite MUST have an
applicable secondary suite licence to be eligible for an STR licence.
For more information, please visit westvancouver.ca/suites.
For enquiries regarding legalizing and licensing an existing secondary
suite, please contact the Permits & Inspections department at
[email protected] or 604-925-7040.
b) All STRs are required to be operated in compliance with relevant
legislation, including but not limited to the BC Building Code,
BC Fire Code, and municipal life safety and bylaw requirements.
c) Only one STR is permitted per parcel.
d) STRs are only permitted in an operator's principal residence, that
being the place where an operator lives, receives mail, and is listed
on government issued identification.
e) Strata corporation permission is required to operate an STR
in applicable properties. Strata corporations can prohibit STRs
through their own bylaws.
f) Property owner(s) permission is required to operate an STR
in tenanted properties.
g) STRs are not permitted on a parcel that contains a child care business.
h) STRs are not permitted in any vehicle, trailer, or recreational vehicle.
Life safety
a) Must provide an accessible fire extinguisher on each floor of the STR.
b) Must post, in a conspicuous manner, an updated fire safety plan by
all entrances and exits of the STR. (See page 8 for details.)
c) Maintain working interconnected smoke alarms on each floor and
in each bedroom of the STR. Interconnected means that all smoke
alarms are connected to each other so that when one goes off all others
in the STR will sound.
d) Have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the
STR that contains gas appliances.
DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER | 5
e) Maintain and provide an accessible emergency contact for the
STR to District staff and guests.
f) Maintain all smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors,
and fire extinguishers in working order.
g) Have all smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire
extinguishers tested and inspected annually and keep a written
record of such inspections and tests.
Marketing & booking
a) Operators must provide a valid District STR business licence number
in a conspicuous manner in all STR-related marketing material.
b) A maximum of eight guests are permitted at any one time or under
any single booking.
c) Maintain a list of dates, duration, and group size of all bookings on
the premises.
Enforcement
a) Upon request, operators must provide access to the STR at any
reasonable hour to an authorized inspector or District staff member.
b) Upon request, operators must provide inspection, maintenance,
construction records, booking information, or any other record related
to the STR to an authorized inspector or District staff member.
c) Tickets for non-compliant STRs range from $500 to $3000 per day,
per infraction. Infractions include:
- marketing STR without valid business licence number;
- operating without a valid STR business licence;
- operating more than one STR;
- allowing more than eight guests at any one time;
- operating or marketing an unpermitted STR;
- providing cooking facilities in an STR: lodger/room;
- failing to provide STR records;
- breaching a condition of your STR business licence;
- operating an STR outside of your principal residence.
d) Continued non-compliance could lead to the suspension
or cancellation of an STR business licence.
6 | SHORT-TERM RENTAL HANDBOOK
STR BUSINESS LICENCE APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Applicant reviews and completes all relevant requirements and
documents for the operation of an STR in West Vancouver.
2. Applicant submits STR Business Licence application package
to Bylaw & Licensing Services for review:
- email: [email protected]; or
- drop box: address to Bylaw & Licensing Services and place in the
drop box outside the north entrance of Municipal Hall,
750 17th Street, West Vancouver; or
- in person during business hours: at the Municipal Hall Customer
Service Centre, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver, from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays; or
- mail: Bylaw & Licensing Services, Municipal Hall,
750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3.
Submissions must include the following required documents:
the type of STR licence you are applying for
STR Operator Business Licence Application and Declaration
STR Accommodation Required Document Checklist
copies of either: two pieces of government issued identification
with address; or one piece of government issued identification
with address and one piece of mail with address
(This is to confirm the principal residence requirement.)
proposed parking arrangement: written statement or drawn
diagram of where guests will be directed to park
if applicable:
- valid secondary suite licence number; and/or
- strata or owner authorization form
DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER | 7
3. District staff review all applications and documentation to ensure
compliance with:
- principal residence requirement;
- building and life safety declarations;
- if applicable: valid secondary suite licence;
and/or strata or owner authorization; and
- bylaws, regulations, and policies of the District.
4. District staff process applications and send out an invoice for the
applicable fees. Payment of the invoice does not constitute issuance of
a business licence.
5. Applicant submits payment for the STR business licence.
Payments may be made:
- online: westvancouver.ca/payonline
- by mail: make cheques payable to: District of West Vancouver,
750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3
- in person during business hours: at the Municipal Hall Customer
Service Centre, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver, from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays
- in person after hours: place non-cash payments in the drop box
located at the north entrance of Municipal Hall
6. Once District staff confirm the application is complete, the District
will issue an STR Business Licence to the applicant. Note: The District
may conduct a physical inspection of the dwelling prior to issuing an STR
Business Licence.
7. Applicants must post the issued STR business licence in a
conspicuous location in the STR, as per section 5.1.6 of the
Business Licence Bylaw.
This is a new program, please
allow time for staff to review
your application accordingly.
8 | SHORT-TERM RENTAL HANDBOOK
FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
Create a fire escape plan, print it and post at all entrances/exits
to the STR.
You can use the grid on the next page. There is a sample drawing below
to guide you.
The escape plan should contain the following information:
- In case of fire, go outside immediately and call 9-1-1
- Operator's name
- Address of this property
- Emergency contact: name & phone number of someone who is
locally available 24 hours a day to address immediate concerns
- Designated meeting point:
- Fire escape plan diagram, depicting:
- a primary and secondary escape path for your guests
- locations of your fire extinguisher(s)
- the outside meeting point (be descriptive, i.e. by the big tree)
DINING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM 1
KITCHEN
BATH
BEDROOM 2
PRIMARY ESCAPE PATH
SECONDARY ESCAPE PATH
MEET HERE!
SAMPLE DIAGRAM:
OPERATOR'S NAME:
EMERGENCY CONTACT:
name & phone number of someone who is
locally available 24 hours a day to address
immediate concerns
ADDRESS OF THIS PROPERTY:
DESIGNATED MEETING POINT:
IN CASE OF FIRE, GO OUTSIDE IMMEDIATELY & CALL 9-1-1