Yes, in the home you live in. The City of Vancouver licenses stays of less than 90 consecutive days only in your principal residence, whether you own it or rent it long term with your landlord's written approval. Strata or landlord approval comes before the application, and once you hold the City licence, you also register with the Province.
You don't have to work through the licence alone
- We tell you first whether your home qualifies. At the free review we look at your home with our legal team, and if it cannot be hosted, you hear it before any photos or set-up.
- We help with the paperwork. We help you prepare the licence or registration your home needs, and keep the licence number on your listing.
- We run the stays. Listing, pricing, guest messages, cleaning, key exchange and repairs. Guests come to us, not to you.
- We are local. bnbHost is based in Vancouver, and 46 of our listings are in Vancouver, counted on our booking site on 10 November 2026.
What stays with you
- Living there. The licence is for your principal residence, and a manager cannot be the resident the City requires.
- Your strata's or landlord's yes. The City wants it in writing before you apply, and it is given to you as the owner or tenant.
Questions owners ask
Can I host the main house and the basement suite? No. The City allows a suite or laneway home only when it is the unit you live in, and the main house and its suite cannot both be rented out short term.
I'm away for the winter. Can you run it while I'm gone? Yes. While the home stays your principal residence, we run the stays, the changeovers and the keys, so you don't have to be there for anyone's arrival.
Checked on 11 November 2026: City of Vancouver, short-term rental business licence.
