Short-Term Rental Licences

The District of Sechelt allows short-term rental (STR) on residential properties according to our STR program and bylaws. For safety reasons STRs are only permitted in legal habitable dwelling units.

A short-term rental is the rental of a dwelling unit on a residential property on a daily or weekly basis. These rentals are often booked through a third party such as Airbnb and VRBO or booked privately through the owner. 

All STRs in the District of Sechelt must acquire an annual business licence to operate.

District of Sechelt and Provincial regulations require all STRs to have a principle resident operator. That means the person operating the STR must live on the property and must be present during STR guest stays.

Un-hosted secondary residence STRs are not permitted to operate.

District of Sechelt STR Business Licences are required in addition to Provincial registration.

Find out more about the provincial regulations here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals

Types of STR

Type 1 ROOMS IN A HOME - rental of up to three bedrooms within a principal residence where the operator lives and is present during guest stays. 
Type 2 SELF-CONTAINED DWELLING UNIT(with its own kitchen) - rental of secondary suite or detached accessory dwelling unit on a principal residence property where the operator lives and is present during guest stays.

Licences

New Applications

How to Apply for a Licence

Determine the appropriate category of STR. Please see the Operator's Guide for details. Individual Type pages are also listed below.
Submit the completed STR Business Licence Application forms and application fee.
Pay annual business licence fee upon approval.

For a look back through the engagement process and recommendations received, please visit our engagement site - yoursaysechelt.ca.

Renewals

Beginning the 2026 licence year, renewal forms are no longer required. The District's finance department will send out renewal invoices to all active STR licences. Once you receive this invoice, you may renew your licence online, or in person at the Municipal Hall. Please contact the finance department if you do not receive this renewal invoice at 604-885-1986 or info@sechelt.ca

Any unpaid licence fees or fines must be paid, in addition to the upcoming years' licence fee, before we will issue a renewed licence, and before you may operate your STR. Payment is due no later than January 31.

After January 31, renewals will no longer be accepted, and a new application form is required if you wish to continue operating your STR. The new application fee only applies where an STR operation did not have a valid licence in the previous year. Any unpaid licence fees or fines will be sent to the District's collections agency.

Please note: A change in STR operating type (ex. licenced as a Type 1 but switching to a Type 2, or increasing the number of bedrooms) requires a new STR application form to be submitted. As long as the STR operation had a valid licence in the previous year, the new application fee would not apply.

Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

Staff continue to investigate and respond to bylaw complaints related to STRs. If an STR in your area is operating without a Business Licence, or you believe an STR in your area is violating another bylaw, please email our bylaw department within working hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). To report an issue outside of operating hours, please call the RCMP non-emergency line at 604-885-2266.

Click the type if STR below for specific information and application

Type 1: Rooms in a Home

Room in a principal residence where the owner lives and is present during stays.

Click for more information and application forms

Type 2: Self-Contained Dwelling Unit

Self-contained suite (up to two) on a property where the owner lives and is present.

Click for more information and application forms

Current STR Business Licences

Updated: June 2025