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Short-term rental licensing in Burnaby, BC
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Burnaby allows eligible homeowners to license short-term rentals in their principal residence. City limits include 90 nights in a year and stricter rules for whole-home stays.
Key information
Burnaby allows eligible homeowners to license short-term rentals in their principal residence. City limits include 90 nights in a year and stricter rules for whole-home stays.
On this page
Owner and property eligibility
Only a homeowner can apply for their principal residence. A tenant cannot operate a short-term rental, even with the landlord’s permission. A principal residence is the home used for daily life, mail and identification.
The City excludes rental units, secondary suites, accessory buildings, group homes and homes with certain home occupations or childcare uses. Its business licensing page lists further excluded dwelling arrangements. Check the exact property before advertising.
Night and guest limits
A portion of the principal residence may be rented for up to 90 nights each calendar year. Within that total, the whole home may be rented for up to 28 nights while the owner is absent.
The booking limit is four unrelated guests or six people in the same family. These are municipal limits, not a guarantee of compliance with every provincial or strata rule.
Apply before listing
Submit the City application, proof of principal residence and written strata permission if applicable. Pay the approved licence and application charges. Licensing is at 604-294-7320.
Provide guests with relevant rules, fire safety information and a fire plan. Distribute the neighbour notification information and follow the operating guide, including record keeping.
Complaints and enforcement
The City describes fines up to $500 per infraction, with escalating fines for continued non-compliance. Missing licences, false principal residence claims, guest-information failures and missing fire plans are among listed violations.
Report suspected illegal rentals to Licensing at 604-294-7320. The rental page lists 604-294-7200 for after-hours noise concerns. Use the current parking guide for parking enforcement hours because the rental page’s weekday hours differ from the newer parking page.
Quick reference
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Overall annual limit | 90 nights |
| Whole-home portion | Up to 28 of the 90 nights |
| Guest limit | 4 unrelated guests, or 6 from one family |
| Strata home | Written strata council permission required |
| Tenant-operated listing | Not eligible under City rules |
What to do next
- Check eligibility
Confirm ownership, principal residence and allowed dwelling type.
- Apply
Supply proof and strata permission before operating.
- Host within limits
Track nights and guests and provide safety information.
10 useful questions
Can a renter list a Burnaby short-term rental?
No. The City limits operators to homeowners using their principal residence.
Can I list an investment property?
No. A property that is not the operator’s principal residence is not eligible.
What is the annual limit?
The municipal maximum is 90 nights in a calendar year.
Can all 90 nights be whole-home bookings?
No. Whole-home rental while absent is limited to 28 nights within the 90-night total.
How many unrelated guests may stay?
The City allows up to four unrelated guests.
What if all guests are one family?
Up to six people from the same family may stay.
Can a secondary suite be used?
No. The City excludes secondary suites from short-term rental use.
Do strata owners need permission?
Yes. Written permission from the strata council must accompany the application.
What safety information must guests receive?
Provide the guest rules and fire safety information, including a fire plan, described in the operator guide.
How do I report an unlicensed rental?
Contact Licensing at 604-294-7320.
Official information and forms
This guide covers the municipal service in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Fees and active service notices can change. Use the linked official page for the application or latest notice.