Vancouver residents who rent homes that are not their primary residence through short-term rental agencies like Airbnb will be outlawed, according to a new City of Vancouver policy.
Under the new framework, people will need a city business licence to operate rentals in their own homes for less than 30 days.
Residents will have to prove they own the unit being rented out on Airbnb and, if it’s in a condo development, will have to show they have the approval of the building’s strata council.
“Short-term rentals that are not principal residences will not be allowed or legalized,” said the city’s general manager of development services, building and licensing, Kaye Matheny Krishna.
Licensed operators would need to post their licence number in all online advertising. The city estimates there are at least 5,000 short-term rental units in Vancouver, 85 per cent through web-based Airbnb.
