Short Term Rentals in the SCRD

Short-Term Rental Regulations  

Short-term rentals in the SCRD are regulated by two zoning bylaws – Zoning Bylaw 337 for Area A – Pender Harbour/Egmont and Zoning Bylaw 722 for all other rural electoral areas. 

If you wish to operate a short-term rental, you must adhere to the regulations in the zoning bylaws. Failure to do so could result in bylaw enforcement action. If there is a short-term rental in your neighbourhood that is not following these regulations, please fill out the Bylaw Enforcement complaint form. 

Zoning Bylaw 337: Electoral Area A

Pender Harbour and Egmont

In Zoning Bylaw 337 short-term rentals are referred to as “Bed and Breakfast Homes” and “Bed and Breakfast Inns”. The only difference is the number of permitted bedrooms; two in a Bed and Breakfast Home and five in a Bed and Breakfast Inn. 

Bed and Breakfast Home and Bed and Breakfast Inn are defined in Zoning Bylaw 337 as: 

“bed and breakfast home” means use of buildings for transient accommodation provided for commercial purposes in not more than two bedrooms, auxiliary to the residential use, and occupied by the same occupant(s) for not more than 30 consecutive days, but specifically excludes accommodation provided in a campground, a sleeping unit, a motel, a housekeeping unit, a lodge, a hotel or resort hotel; 

“bed and breakfast inn” means use of buildings for transient accommodation provided for commercial purposes in not more than five bedrooms, auxiliary to the residential use, and occupied by the same occupant(s) for not more than 30 consecutive days, but specifically excludes accommodation provided in a campground, a sleeping unit, a motel, a housekeeping unit, a lodge, a hotel or resort hotel; 

The following regulations apply to all Bed and Breakfast Homes and Inns in Pender Harbour and Egmont: 

1. the total number of occupants of a bed and breakfast establishment shall not exceed two per each permitted bedroom. 
2. no external indication or advertising associated with a bed and breakfast shall be permitted on the property except a single sign not exceeding 0.35 m2 in area. 
3. any dwelling utilized for bed and breakfast shall be connected to sewerage disposal and water supply facilities that are in compliance with the current regulations pursuant to the Public Health Act of British Columbia. 
4. a bed and breakfast shall be operated by an operator who resides on the property where the bed and breakfast is located and for the duration when the bed and breakfast is in operation. 

Zoning Bylaw 722: Electoral Areas B, D, E, and F

Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and West Howe Sound

In Zoning Bylaw 722 short term rentals are permitted in the R1 zone on properties over 2,000 m2, and in the R2, C1, C2, C3, C4, CR1, CR2, RU1, RU1A*, RU2, AG, PA2 and PA3 zones. 

Short term rentals are prohibited in the following dwelling types:

• Secondary Suites 
• Auxiliary Dwelling Units that are over 55 m2 (592 ft2) in floor area.

Short-term Rental is defined as: 

“Short-term rental” means use of buildings for transient accommodation provided for commercial use, permitted as an auxiliary use in the zone, and occupied by the same occupant(s) for not more than 30 consecutive days, may include accommodation commonly known as bed and breakfast, but specifically excludes accommodation provided in a campground or tourist accommodation.

The following regulations apply to short term rentals in Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, and West Howe Sound: 

1. The number of bedrooms utilized for short term rental shall not exceed two per dwelling, including an auxiliary dwelling. 
2. Short term rental shall not be permitted in an auxiliary dwelling unit with a size exceeding 55 m2. 
3. Short-term rental shall not be permitted in a secondary suite. 
4. The total number of occupants of a short-term rental establishment shall not exceed two per bedroom. 
5. No external indication or advertising associated with a short-term rental shall be permitted on the property except a single sign up to 0.35 m2 in area. 
6. Any dwelling utilized for short term rental shall be connected to sewerage disposal and water supply facilities that are in compliance with current regulations pursuant to the Public Health Act of British Columbia. 
7. A short-term rental shall be operated by an operator who resides on the property where the short-term rental is located and for the duration when the short-term rental is in operation.

* The RU1A zone has specific regulations. Please refer to Zoning Bylaw 722 for more information.