Written by: Elliot Funt, Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Völkers Vancouver
Buildings Located in Vancouver That Allow Airbnb & Other Short-Term Rentals
Update: Are STRs still possible under newly released provincial legislation?
Absolutely, figure out how to work Airbnb into your lifestyle.
You need to be aware of and follow the regulations from both the City of Vancouver (bylaws already in existence since 2018) and the Province (introduced October 2023). Your goal of buying a STR shouldn’t be to skirt municipal and provincial bylaws, but rather to find ways you can earn easy extra income by operating a STR while you yourself are enjoying life elsewhere. The Province’s regulations eliminate owners wishing to do Airbnb for strictly investment in most of BC, though there are also some exempt areas. You’ll also need to operate the STR in a building that permits it.
Here are a few scenarios entirely permitted under existing City of Vancouver bylaws and the new Provincial regulations:
Love travelling, but can’t afford to do so while paying your mortgage? Short-term rent your condo for your entire summer, while taking a vacation to Europe for 4 months over the summer. Perhaps another 3 months to South America or Mexico in the winter? This is still very much your principal residence and this lifestyle works for many remote jobs.
Genuinely enjoy meeting new people? Put your second bedroom in a 2-bedroom condo on Airbnb, significantly subsidizing your housing costs, while also getting into the housing market. No doubt, there will be an occasional guest you don’t get along with, though you’ll also start a countless friendships. During times when you’re on vacation, put the entire condo on Airbnb for increased revenue.
Want a cabin though can’t otherwise afford two properties? Purchase a cabin in an area exempt from BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax, such as Gambier Island. Spend an excessive amount of time enjoying your cabin, while renting out your downtown condo on Airbnb over the summer. Use the few unbooked days in your Airbnb calendar to come into the city, or block off dates you need to be in town. Capturing summer revenues is the key to success, as the summer months generate about as much revenue as the other 9-months combined. Spend a few off-season weeks at the cabin for very good bookings, such as week of Taylor Swift concerts or FIFA coming to town.
Field shift worker/heavy work travel? Perhaps you have a career that requires you to spend a week or two away from Vancouver and then a few weeks back in town? Your condo would certainly qualify as your principal residence, allowing you to rent it on Airbnb while you are out of town.
No doubt, these scenarios don’t work for everyone, though perhaps they might give you some ideas of how to work STR into your life, while still in compliance.
Purpose of this list
This list a helpful guide to finding buildings that currently allow Airbnb & other short-term rentals/accommodations. The City of Vancouver defines short-term rentals as rentals under 30 consecutive days and the Province defines them as rentals under 90 consecutive days. For the purpose of this list, I’m going by the City of Vancouver’s definition of STRs.
A word of caution: even if a building currently allows short-term rentals, strata bylaws can be voted on and quickly change in the future. This list may become out of date without my knowledge, and therefore it is imperative to double-check the latest bylaws before making an offer on an Airbnb building. Do not under any circumstances rely solely on this list.
To the very best of my knowledge, this list is up-to-date as of April 5, 2024 (originally published on March 15th, 2019 and I regularly add and remove buildings, where bylaws have changed). This list may not reflect buildings that are currently changing or have very recently changed their short-term rental bylaws. Some buildings are also more friendly to short-term rentals than other buildings. Once again, to ensure that the building still allows short-term rentals, please double-check the building bylaws and strata council minutes before purchasing, or please contact me.
This is one of the most complex parts of the Vancouver real estate market. Make sure to hire a short-term rental expert.
111 & 161 E 1st Avenue (Block 100)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Specific building bylaws that allow for STRs with a $300/year admin charge. No access to the amenities for short-term renters.
180 E 2nd Avenue (Second + Main)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024.
March 2022 minutes clearly state that STR is allowed at the present time. Though as a fairly new building (completed Sept 2021), there is a moderate probability that sometime in the near future the bylaws may change.
350 E 2nd Avenue (Mainspace)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Zoned IC-3, which is a type of zoning that allows for light industrial uses, though you still need to follow COV primary residency requirements
250 E 6th Avenue (District)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. No specific building bylaws restricting STRs. Also zoned IC-3 (see above).
289 E 6th Avenue (Shine)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Also zoned IC-3 (see above). Specific building bylaws that allow for STRs with a $300/year admin charge.
311 E 6th Avenue (The Wohlsein)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Also zoned IC-3 (see above). I see no building bylaws that prevent STRs, though there was a rule ratified in the 2019 AGM that said owners must be in compliance with the City’s bylaws to operate STRs in the building (i.e. giving a clear avenue to allow for STRs in this building). You’ll get mixed information if you ask the strata manager, though there is nothing in the bylaws that lets this building restrict STRs here.
October 2023 AGM references a discussion amongst owners and an informal survey they did. It seems like there will be a strata bylaw for STRs created sometime in 2024, that still permits them, though puts some limit on use. My understanding is owners in compliance with COV/provincial policy shouldn’t have an issue a new strata bylaw.
555 Abbott Street & 183 Keefer Place (Paris Place)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024, though certainly a lower level of “friendly” than most on this list. The building has a very broad bylaw allowing STRs written in their bylaws. That being said, the strata council is overall against Airbnb and sent a notice dated Sept 14, 2021, saying they’d report violators of the COV’s bylaws. See here.
618 Abbott Street, 688 Abbott Street & 58 Keefer Place (Firenze)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. No specific bylaw saying one cannot have short-term rentals (i.e. it is currently okay under the bylaws). This strata has a short-term rental approval letter on file that can be sent to the City of Vancouver. To my knowledge, this is the only Vancouver building that has such a letter. Because of this, the City of Vancouver's approval is very straightforward. Here is a link to the rental bylaw, as of Oct 7, 2019.
This building has a high building insurance deductible of $500,000, which means owner insurance in the building will be significantly more expensive than average. This deductible used to be even higher at $750,000 until the 2024 renewal year, so at least it’s trending in the right direction.
633 Abbott Street, 689 Abbott Street & 188 Keefer Place (Espana)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. This building has a short-term bylaw in place that specifically permits short-term rentals. Here is a link to the short-term rental bylaws.
890 Broughton Street
Small 5-unit condo building. I’ve heard through the grapevine that this building allows STRs, though since it’s so small, the last sale was in 2018 and there is no easy way for me to check until a new listing becomes available.
1003 Burnaby Street (The Milano)
Last confirmed July 2, 2023 - A stricter building that barely makes this list, though the bylaws do allow short-term rentals while an owner is on vacation (see bylaw 3.1.g). Here is a link to the rental bylaws as of Jan 13, 2022. In particular, bylaw 3.1(g). If you intend to rent out your condo for more than about 15-30 days a year, do not consider this option.
1050 Burrard (The Wall Centre)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024.
Update during the AGM on October 28, 2021. There was a 3/4 vote to limit rentals to 90 days; this resolution was defeated (i.e. STRs still allowed).
1160 Burrard Street (Burrard Health)
Last confirmed May 8, 2023 - No specific bylaw saying one cannot have short-term rentals (i.e. it is currently okay under the bylaws). It is a unique condo investment in Vancouver as the top two floors contain townhouse-style residential condos and a courtyard while most of the building is dedicated to medical offices. There are just 8 condos in the residential side of this building, and to my knowledge, no airbnbs, so the bylaws may change in the future.
1238 Burrard Street (Altadena)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024.
370 Carrall Street (21 Doors)
Last confirmed November 2, 2023. This building is in a very rough area, so not at all ideal for Airbnb guests. It’s on my list as it fits Airbnb criteria, though it is definitely not a recommended building. Some fees are associated with STRs in this building. There was a vote to ban STRs in 2019 that did not pass. Unlikely any vote would pass given prior voting history. I see notes of a 3-night minimum in some past MLS listings, though unclear if this is enforced.
1010 Chilco Street (The Chilco Park)
Last confirmed February 4, 2024. Small 44-unit building, so new listings tend to be rare. No rental restrictions, though no specific STR bylaws. High likelihood of strata bylaws changing in the near future.
1788 Columbia Street (Epic at West)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Strata bylaw permitting STR and $300/yearly charge.
55 E Cordova Street (Koret Lofts)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. 7-day minimum rental period, which is clearly more restrictive than many other options. Some pretty cool condos in this building.
128 W Cordova Street (Woodwards W-43) - NEWLY ADDED
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. At the most recent strata AGM, a STR bylaw was passed allowing owners to now Airbnb their condos. Still lots of details that need to be worked out here, though a big change for this building. Note that the sister building at 108 W Cordova still does not permit STRs.
2040 Cornwall Avenue (Bryanston Court)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Minutes dated October 13, 2022 show approval of two owners for STR purposes.
219 E Georgia Street (The Flats)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. No rental restrictions, though no specific STR bylaws. 29-unit trendy building built in 2014 in an up-and-coming area. No parking in this building, though there is a commercial parkade next door as a high-priced, easily accessible, paid parking alternative. As recently as June 8, 2022, there was a request and approval in the minutes for a STR permission letter from the strata council (depending on when you read this, there may even be a more recent approval than that).
1249 Granville Street (The Lex)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. A rental building until 2021 that was stratified when it was built in 2003 and entirely owned by 1 owner. In 2021 this owner decided to sell and removed any rental restrictions from the bylaws. My understanding is that it was largely sold to investors and STR purchasers.
933, 955, & 983 E Hastings Street (Strathcona Village)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. I have relatively little info about the inner workings of this building, particularly just how friendly this building is to STRs or not.
1010 Howe Street (Fortune House)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. There are no rental restrictions in this building, though there are also none that specifically outline STR bylaws. One listing agent of a recent sale claims that the strata have never restricted anyone from Airbnb, though this information is difficult to verify. Overall, it appears to be very STR friendly.
718 Main Street (Ginger)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Building bylaw states if you live in the building 6 months out of the year, you can Airbnb it the other 6 months.
1166 Melville Street (Orca Place).
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. I have heard unverified information that the strata council has council members that run Airbnbs.
989 Nelson Street (Electra)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Update from AGM May 31, 2023: A bylaw governing STRs passed at the AGM. This bylaw requires owners to live in the building for 3 months prior to applying to the council for STR permission + $500/year. Guests can use amenities.
I previously owned in Electra (until March 2024), so know a particularly large amount of information about this building.
One of the most profitable buildings for STR. Your Airbnb reviews will be excellent as this building has 3-high speed elevators, air-conditioning, and a great location. No parking in the building, though monthly parking options less than a block away. The generously sized, same floor storage lockers also provide a safe and easy place to store many belongings when you’re renting on Airbnb.
28 Powell Street (Powell Lane)
Last confirmed November 15, 2022. Small 26-unit building. To the best of my knowledge, STRs are allowed since no rental restrictions, though no specific STR strata bylaw in place. Some past listings note 30 days per annum that you are allowed to Airbnb, which needs further research.
933 Seymour Street (The Spot)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Double high lofts that rent well. Many condos in this building have some unauthorized additional square footage added to the second level. I've observed the City of Vancouver compelling hosts to remove these additions once they are identified on Airbnb.
1372 Seymour Street (The Mark)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Bylaws specifically allow for Airbnb. Does not allow tenants to Airbnb. Also, short-term rental tenants are not allowed to use the amenities. A recent vote to ban Airbnb did not pass, solidifying the Mark’s continuation as an Airbnb-friendly building.
928 Richards Street (The Savoy)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. A great Airbnb-friendly building, with specific bylaws allowing STRs. I recommend not applying as soon as you move in, as this makes it suspicious that you might not actually be living there. I’ve seen the strata reject STR requests in the past claiming they believe that it’s an investor unit.
231 E Pender Street (Framework)
Last confirmed October 28, 2021. Allows STRs, though only for a maximum of 10 days per calendar month. Update June 2, 2023, no recent listings have mentioned Airbnb, so I have a feeling this may have recently changed.
33 W Pender Street (33 Living)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. Smaller building of 63 condos.
2458 York Avenue (York Avenue)
Last confirmed April 5, 2024. A small, walk-up in building in Kitsilano consisting of 12 condos. This building was operated as a rental apartment building prior to 2018; all the condos were sold off to individual owners between 2018 and early 2022.
If you are aware of incorrect information regarding any of the above properties or know of additions to this list, please send me an email. In particular, I love to hear how things are going in the less well-known, smaller, STR buildings on my list.
Above and beyond My typical realtor® Services, there are several key things I do For My clients:
Provide estimated revenue for your prospective purchase. I do this using AirDNA, which is a paid tool for checking estimated revenue, occupancy rates, and average nightly rates for specific buildings.
Comprehensive Pro-Forma analysis for your purchase.
Research current market trends and statistics specifically related to square footage, bedrooms, and the sub-areas. Lots of fun information to look at!
Create building-specific searches so you will be notified when a new listing in an Airbnb-friendly building becomes available.
Give you tips for running a successful Airbnb/Short-Term Rental.
Keep extremely up-to-date on changes to Vancouver Airbnb buildings and maintain a knowledge far beyond that of most, if not all, other Vancouver realtors concerning Airbnb.
There are bylaws from the City of Vancouver and the Province of BC that you must follow and it is essential to learn about these bylaws before buying a property you intend to use for short-term rentals. I have paraphrased these bylaws below. As per the COV Bylaws: “A short-term rental can only be operated from your principal residence – the home where you live.” The Province defines a principal residence as “the residence an individual lives in for a longer period during a calendar year than any other place.”
Incoming Provincial Regulations - NEW
As of October 16, 2023, a new Provincial framework was announced known as the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act. The best source of information on this change can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals.
Several comments I have on these new regulations. Firstly, you must be following them! I receive at least 4-5 calls a week asking how to circumvent these regulations, and I do not advise doing this. Overall, the changes to the Vancouver market are minimal if you were following the City of Vancouver’s primary residence requirement already.
The two most significant impacts I see from this regulation are that 30-day rentals are no longer allowed to bypass the City of Vancouver’s primary residence requirement, something many hosts were doing. Secondly, I expect a stricter level of enforcement than the City of Vancouver previously maintained, primarily because platforms like Airbnb will be required to share host data with the province as of Summer 2024.
City of Vancouver - Short Term Rental Information
The following information is taken directly from the City of Vancouver website:
Effective September 1, 2018, all short-term rental operators in Vancouver must have a business licence and include their licence number in all online listings and advertising, or they may be subject to fines up to $1,000 per offence [note you may also be subject to the new Provincial fine of $3,000].
A short-term rental can be an entire home, or a room within that home, that is rented for less than 30 consecutive days at a time.
A short-term rental can only be operated from your principal residence – the home where you live, as an owner or tenant, and use for bills, identification, taxes, and insurance.
Short-term rentals are only permitted in secondary homes or basement suites if the operator lives there full time.
All short-term rental operators must have a valid business licence and include it in all online listings and advertisements.
Your strata bylaws or landlord must permit the use of short-term rentals in your home before you apply for a licence.
Non-compliance may result in fines of up to $1,000 per offence.
Costs & Applying
The short-term rental business license has an annual fee of $1,000 (for 2024). There is also a non-refundable application fee of $66.
Note from Elliot
If you are in non-compliance, there is a major risk you will be ordered to shut down your short-term rental from the COV and/or the Province. If you are violating the COV and/or Provincial policies, simply put, you may lose your license and face significant fines. I strongly recommend abiding by the COV or Provincial policies when you operate your STR.
I recommend a maximum of 180 days per year to stay out of trouble, even though this is not specifically outlined in either the City of Vancouver or Provincial regulations.
To learn more about short-term rentals from a licensed Realtor® and Expert In Short-Term Rentals, please contact me.
Elliot Funt - Real Estate Advisor with Engel & Völkers Vancouver
Email: Elliot@Funt.ca
Text or phone: (778) 991-3868.
