Short Term Accommodations

Licensing your Short Term Accommodation (STA)

We are here to help you through new regulations, which require you to register and license your Short Term Accommodations (STAs).

To apply for a business licence, provide the completed Application Package to the Business Licensing Desk at West Kelowna Municipal Hall for processing and payment.

For Short Term Resort Accommodations, those properties located in the Resort Apartment or Resort Townhouse C6, CD2 and C7 Zones, please click here.

Get started today

Watch our video below and follow these steps to register and license your STA:

Read the Operator Guidebook
Complete the Application Form
Include the Parking Site Plan
Include the Fire Safety Plan
Include the Self Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation
Include the Good Neighbour Agreement
Include the Owner or Strata Authorization Form, if applicable
Submit the one-time application fee for the Short Term Accommodation, $250)
Submit the Short Term Accommodation Business Licence Fee, $500 (to be renewed annually)
Once registered and licensed, ensure your STA marketing and listings include the valid licence number we’ve issued to you.

Why are regulations required?

Well-operated STAs benefit everyone, playing an important role in the community and local tourism; and regulations ensure that operators respect the health and well-being of their guests and mitigate potential negative impacts on neighbours.

Will the City enforce regulations?

Yes, the City will follow up on all STA complaints we receive.

Submit a complaint about an STA

Operators may receive fines between $250 and $1,000 per day, per offence, at the discretion of bylaw enforcement. Operators who fail to meet the regulations and requirements, and those who have multiple offences will be subject to higher fine amounts per day, per offence with the possibility of having their Short Term Accommodation Business Licence suspended or revoked.

Watch our walkthrough video

About Short Term Accommodations (STAs)

Short Term Accommodations (STAs) are a form of accommodation where a part of a principal residence is rented to visitors for periods of less than 30 days. STAs are a type of hospitality service; and, like hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts (B and Bs), form part of the greater tourism industry. However, unlike traditional accommodations, such as hotels and resorts, STAs have the advantage of being located in a variety of neighbourhoods and a diversity of dwelling types, sizes, and locations, which may make use of local amenities.

Access the Operator Guidebook - take a look!

The Operator Guidebook is a great source of information for those looking to become a permitted operator or know more about Short Term Accommodations.

It provides:

An overview of commonly used terms and references in the required application forms and documents
An explanation of the of the Business Licensing process
An overview of the compliance requirements and enforcement measures that may be taken
The Fire and Safety requirements to operate a permitted STA
The Parking requirements to operate a permitted STA

Access the Operator Guidebook here!

Am I Eligible to Operate a Permitted Short Term Accommodation?

Short Term Accommodations must only operate out of a single detached dwelling (house), secondary suite, or carriage house. See below for examples. Accessory buildings, recreational vehicles or any other buildings or structures cannot be rented as STAs.

Application Package

To apply for a business licence, you must provide a completed Application Package. Print the PDF application package and submit it to the Business Licensing Desk at Municipal Hall for processing and payment; or, start by picking up your package at Municipal Hall.

Required documents and fees:

Complete Application Form
A one-time application fee for the Short Term Accommodation ($250)
A Short Term Accommodation Business Licence Fee ($500)
Parking Site Plan
Fire Safety Plan
Self Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation
Good Neighbour Agreement
Owner or Strata Authorization Form (if applicable)

Questions and answers

1. When did the new regulations take effect?
The new regulations came into effect July 13, 2021.

2. Where can I operate a Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
You must only operate an STA out of a single detached dwelling (house), secondary suite, or carriage house. Accessory buildings, recreational vehicles or any other buildings or structures cannot be rented.

3. What is a principal residence?
Your principal residence is the property where you live the majority of the year and is the address you use for mail, bills, municipal property taxes, etc.

4. What is the length of time that I can rent an STA?
An STA can be rented for less than 30 days.

5. Can I leave on a vacation as an STA operator?
An operator may host guests while they are absent from their property to a maximum of 14 consecutive days no more than 30 days per calendar year.

6. I currently operate an STA, what is changing with the new regulations?
The new regulations require all STA operators to apply for a Short Term Accommodation Business Licence in order to comply with all City bylaws and regulations. Failing to do so will result in fines.

7. If I am operating a bed and breakfast, can I operate an STA?
No, you may only operate one or the other, either a bed and breakfast or an STA.

8. Can I rent out my house for STAs if I live in a carriage house on the same property?
Yes, you may rent out your house for STAs, if you are the principal resident of the property and meet the residency requirements.

9. Can I rent multiple rooms as an STA operator?
Yes, you can rent a maximum of four bedrooms with two adults per bedroom, to a single party of guests.

10. Can I have multiple guests/parties if I have more than one bedroom?
No, you cannot rent multiple rooms to multiple guests that are members of different parties.

11. How can I tell if my property is zoned to permit an STA?
Review the City’s Westmap tool to review the zoning of your property. Enter your address and select the WK Tax Parcels in the left column; then, select Tax Parcel for your property. Scroll down the Tax Parcel details in the left column to review your property information, including the zoning.

Summary of the process to date
Council directed staff to regulate the operation of Short Term Accommodations (STAS), with the process to include a review of regional comparisons and stakeholder and public consultations. An online questionnaire, which was open to the public between Nov. 30, 2020 and Jan. 3, 2021 helped inform the development of the STA regulations. Staff also received feedback from Council at various times throughout the process to refine the scope and expectations of regulations. July 13, 2021 - Adoption Agenda and minutes June 22, 2021 - Short Term Accommodations third reading Council considered two reports outlining the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments and Regulatory Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which had previously been given second reading as amended on May 11, 2021, and a public hearing on June 8, 2021. Agenda and minutes June 8, 2021 - Public Hearing A Public Hearing was held June 8, 2021 regarding the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which was given second reading, as amended May 11, 2021. A total of fifteen written submissions were received and thirteen speakers addressed Council: Public hearing report Public hearing minutes May 11, 2021 - Zoning Amendment Bylaw - second reading as amended Council considered a report which outlined how the results of the decision point from April 6 were incorporated into the amended regulations for Short Term Accommodations within the Zoning Bylaw. Agenda and minutes April 6, 2021 - Short Term Accommodation Regulations Decision Points Council considered a report, which provided additional information and clarification that they had requested during the Public Hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 0154.99. The report outlined various options and decision points for Council to make in order to direct staff on the next steps in developing regulations: Agenda and minutes March 16, 2021 - Public Hearing A Public Hearing was held March 16, 2021 regarding the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which were given first and second readings Feb. 23, 2021. Sixty-six written submissions were received and 26 speakers addressed Council: Public hearing report Public hearing minutes Feb. 23, 2021 - Short Term Accommodation Regulations first and second readings Council received a report which outlined the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments and related regulations for Short Term Accommodations in the City of West Kelowna. The regulations were drafted based on regionally consistent practices and the guiding principles which prioritize mitigating neighbourhood impacts and protecting long term rentals. Agenda and minutes Jan. 26, 2021 - Information Update Council received a report which summarized the results of the engagement process which asked the community “did we get it right” regarding the draft Short Term Accommodation regulations presented Nov. 24, 2020. A summary of online questionnaire responses was presented along with stakeholder correspondence received. Agenda and minutes Nov. 24, 2020 - Proposed Regulation Program Council considered a report which outlined the considerations for regulating Short Term Accommodations. A proposed program, corresponding bylaw compliance and enforcement strategy and stakeholder and public engagement plan were presented: Agenda and minutes Sept. 29, 2020 - Decision points regarding Short Term Accommodations Council considered a report which outlined the current policy and regulations, Short Term Accommodation listing numbers, and related bylaw enforcement in West Kelowna. A review of the regional approaches taken to regulating Short Term Accommodations was outlined and decision points for Council’s consideration were presented which included continuing to prohibit, regulating them and enhancing enforcement options: Agenda and minutes
Timeline - key dates
Phase 1 – Project initiated, October 2020 Phase 2 – Research and draft program development, October and November 2020 Phase 3 – Engagement draft program, November 2020 to January 2021 Phase 4 – Draft regulations and bylaw amendments, January and February 2021 Phase 5 – Amendments and public hearings, April to June 2021) April 6, 2021 A Decision Points Report provided additional information and clarification requested by Council and outlined various options and decision points. May 11, 2021 Council rescinded second reading of Zoning Bylaw No. 0154.99 and considered an amended bylaw incorporating the changes directed on April 6. June 8, 2021 A Public Hearing provided an opportunity for comments to Council on the amended regulations. Phase 6 – Adoption and implementation, July 2021 to January 2022

Summary of the process to date

Council directed staff to regulate the operation of Short Term Accommodations (STAS), with the process to include a review of regional comparisons and stakeholder and public consultations. An online questionnaire, which was open to the public between Nov. 30, 2020 and Jan. 3, 2021 helped inform the development of the STA regulations. Staff also received feedback from Council at various times throughout the process to refine the scope and expectations of regulations.

July 13, 2021 - Adoption

Agenda and minutes

June 22, 2021 - Short Term Accommodations third reading

Council considered two reports outlining the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments and Regulatory Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which had previously been given second reading as amended on May 11, 2021, and a public hearing on June 8, 2021.

Agenda and minutes

June 8, 2021 - Public Hearing

A Public Hearing was held June 8, 2021 regarding the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which was given second reading, as amended May 11, 2021. A total of fifteen written submissions were received and thirteen speakers addressed Council:

May 11, 2021 - Zoning Amendment Bylaw - second reading as amended

Council considered a report which outlined how the results of the decision point from April 6 were incorporated into the amended regulations for Short Term Accommodations within the Zoning Bylaw.

Agenda and minutes

April 6, 2021 - Short Term Accommodation Regulations Decision Points
Council considered a report, which provided additional information and clarification that they had requested during the Public Hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 0154.99. The report outlined various options and decision points for Council to make in order to direct staff on the next steps in developing regulations:

Agenda and minutes

March 16, 2021 - Public Hearing

A Public Hearing was held March 16, 2021 regarding the proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments to regulate Short Term Accommodations, which were given first and second readings Feb. 23, 2021. Sixty-six written submissions were received and 26 speakers addressed Council:

Feb. 23, 2021 - Short Term Accommodation Regulations first and second readings
Council received a report which outlined the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments and related regulations for Short Term Accommodations in the City of West Kelowna. The regulations were drafted based on regionally consistent practices and the guiding principles which prioritize mitigating neighbourhood impacts and protecting long term rentals.

Agenda and minutes

Jan. 26, 2021 - Information Update
Council received a report which summarized the results of the engagement process which asked the community “did we get it right” regarding the draft Short Term Accommodation regulations presented Nov. 24, 2020. A summary of online questionnaire responses was presented along with stakeholder correspondence received.

Agenda and minutes

Nov. 24, 2020 - Proposed Regulation Program
Council considered a report which outlined the considerations for regulating Short Term Accommodations. A proposed program, corresponding bylaw compliance and enforcement strategy and stakeholder and public engagement plan were presented:

Agenda and minutes

Sept. 29, 2020 - Decision points regarding Short Term Accommodations
Council considered a report which outlined the current policy and regulations, Short Term Accommodation listing numbers, and related bylaw enforcement in West Kelowna. A review of the regional approaches taken to regulating Short Term Accommodations was outlined and decision points for Council’s consideration were presented which included continuing to prohibit, regulating them and enhancing enforcement options:

Agenda and minutes

Timeline - key dates

Phase 1 – Project initiated, October 2020

Phase 2 – Research and draft program development, October and November 2020

Phase 3 – Engagement draft program, November 2020 to January 2021

Phase 4 – Draft regulations and bylaw amendments, January and February 2021

Phase 5 – Amendments and public hearings, April to June 2021)

April 6, 2021
A Decision Points Report provided additional information and clarification requested by Council and outlined various options and decision points.
May 11, 2021
Council rescinded second reading of Zoning Bylaw No. 0154.99 and considered an amended bylaw incorporating the changes directed on April 6.
June 8, 2021
A Public Hearing provided an opportunity for comments to Council on the amended regulations.

Phase 6 – Adoption and implementation, July 2021 to January 2022