Short-Term Rentals in the District of North Vancouver: A 2025 Guide
Hosting on Airbnb or VRBO in the District of North Vancouver isn’t as simple as just posting your listing online. The District has detailed requirements that every host must follow, from business licences to property eligibility.
This guide covers everything you need to know—from how to get a business licence to rules for operating legally in 2025 and beyond.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, financial, or professional advice. Short-term rental regulations can change, and specific requirements may vary based on your property. Always confirm the current rules with your municipality before making decisions about operating or purchasing a home with a short-term rental.
Note: This guide is for properties in the District of North Vancouver (DNV). If you live in the City of North Vancouver (CNV), check out our separate guide here for the rules that apply there.
What Is a Short-Term Rental?
In the District of North Vancouver (DNV), a short-term rental refers to renting out a home—or part of one—for less than 90 consecutive days. This includes full homes, individual rooms, or accessory units like suites or coach houses.
Popular platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo fall under this category, and if you're hosting, you'll need to follow both local and provincial rules.
Do I Need a Licence to Operate a Short-Term Rental?
Yes. As of 2025, all short-term rental operators in DNV must hold a valid business licence.
You must also:
- Display your licence number in every online listing and advertisement
- Operate only from your principal residence
- Be the property host (i.e., the person who lives on the property)
Operating without a licence—or outside of the rules—can result in fines or a suspended licence.
Provincial Registration Requirements
In addition to a District licence, the Province of BC requires short-term rental operators to register. You cannot complete provincial registration without a valid DNV business licence.
Learn more on the Province’s short-term rental registration page.
Who Can Apply for a Short-Term Rental Licence?
You can apply for a short-term rental business licence if:
- You live at the property as your principal residence
- You are the owner, or a tenant with written permission from the owner
- Your strata allows short-term rentals (written authorization is required)
Only one licence is permitted per single-family property, and it must be tied to your primary residence—not an investment or secondary property.
What Is Allowed?
The following arrangements are permitted as long as they comply with DNV bylaws:
- Renting out your entire home
- Renting a room within your principal residence
- Renting a vacant accessory dwelling unit (e.g., a suite or coach house) on the same property you live on
- Using a licensed property manager or rental platform
Maximum guest stay: Less than 90 consecutive days per booking
Maximum guests: 6 people per booking
Only one active booking is allowed per property at a time
What Is Not Allowed?
Operators may not:
- Host from a property that is not your principal residence
- Advertise without a valid DNV licence number
- Use one licence across multiple properties
- Operate from a non-market or caretaker unit, RV, or trailer
- Have multiple bookings at once
- Host more than six guests at a time
- Cause nuisance impacts (e.g., noise, parking issues, garbage)
Fees
The current annual licence fee is $350 (2025 rate), payable upon application and renewal.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all criteria outlined above. You must live at the property and, if applicable, get approval from your strata or landlord.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
You’ll need digital copies of:
- Proof of principal residency (e.g., government ID or utility bill)
- Owner declaration form
- Parking plan showing one off-street guest stall
- Strata or landlord approval (if required)
- Corporate search (if the property is held by a corporation)
Step 3: Submit Online
You can apply through the District’s online business licence portal.
Apply for a business licence →
Background: Why These Rules Are in Place
The District of North Vancouver began developing its short-term rental regulations in response to:
- Provincial legislation introduced in 2023–2024
- Public concerns about housing availability, noise, and neighbourhood impacts
- A need to align with other Metro Vancouver municipalities
The new bylaws were adopted after multiple rounds of public consultation and Council meetings throughout 2024 and 2025.
As of July 2025, short-term rentals are permitted in all residential zones—but only under strict licensing and operational conditions to ensure fairness and protect long-term housing.
Common Questions
Can I rent out my basement suite as a short-term rental?
Yes, but only if:
- The suite is vacant (not a long-term rental)
- The suite is on the same property where you live full-time
You can’t rent out a separate investment suite or a suite in a home you don’t occupy.
I’m a tenant. Can I still host?
Yes, with written permission from the owner. You’ll need to submit that as part of your licence application.
What about strata buildings?
Strata buildings must explicitly allow short-term rentals. You’ll need to provide formal approval from the strata as part of your application.
Hosting Responsibly
In addition to following licensing rules, short-term rental hosts in the District must be good neighbours. This includes:
- Managing noise and garbage
- Providing adequate parking
- Ensuring guests follow community rules
The District may suspend or revoke licences for repeated complaints or bylaw infractions.
Conclusion
The District of North Vancouver now has a clear and enforceable framework for short-term rentals. Whether you’re thinking of listing your home or already hosting, it’s essential to understand your obligations under both local and provincial rules.
Learn more on the District's website here: DNV.org