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What are regional districts in BC?

British Columbia is divided into regional districts: bodies that provide services and land use planning to areas that fall outside of incorporated municipalities. If a property is not within a city or town boundary, it is likely located in the unincorporated area of a regional district, and the regional district's zoning bylaw governs what land uses are permitted on that property.

For short-term rental operators, this matters because regional district rules vary significantly. A use that is allowed in one regional district may be restricted or prohibited in another, and many regional districts have updated their bylaws in recent years to address short-term rental activity specifically.

How regional district zoning affects STR eligibility

Regional district zoning bylaws typically list permitted uses for each zone. Short-term rentals may be:

  • Explicitly permitted as a listed use in certain zones
  • Permitted as an accessory use subject to conditions
  • Not listed, which often means they are not permitted
  • Explicitly prohibited in certain zones or areas

Operators should obtain and review the current zoning bylaw for their specific parcel before operating. The applicable zone and its permitted uses determine whether a short-term rental is legally allowed on that property. Zoning bylaws can be obtained from the regional district office or, increasingly, through regional district websites.

Non-conforming use considerations

Some operators may have been operating short-term rentals before new zoning restrictions came into effect. In some cases, this prior use may qualify as a legal non-conforming use under BC's Local Government Act, which can provide some protection: but non-conforming use status is limited in scope and subject to specific conditions.

Non-conforming use status generally allows a use to continue but does not permit it to be expanded or intensified. It can also be lost if the use is discontinued for a period of time. Whether a particular property qualifies as a legal non-conforming use is a fact-specific question that depends on when and how the use was established and what has happened since. Operators who believe they may have a non-conforming use claim should seek qualified legal advice before assuming they may continue to operate on that basis.

Provincial SRTAA requirements in regional districts

The provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act also applies in many regional district areas, adding a provincial layer of compliance requirements on top of local zoning rules. This means operators outside incorporated municipalities must comply with both:

  • The applicable regional district zoning bylaw (local layer)
  • BC's SRTAA requirements, including the principal residence rule and provincial registration (provincial layer)

The SRTAA's application in specific regional districts has been phased in over time, and some areas may have different timelines. Operators in rural or unincorporated areas should confirm the current SRTAA applicability status in their specific regional district with the Province of BC.

Resort and tourism designation areas

Certain regional district areas have been recognized as resort communities or tourism-dependent areas, and may have received exemptions from the SRTAA's principal residence requirement. If your property is in or near a resort area, verify the current designation status and applicable rules: they may be materially different from the standard provincial framework.

Finding the rules that apply to your property

The most reliable way to determine what rules apply to a specific property in a regional district is to:

  • Contact the regional district directly and confirm the zoning designation for your parcel
  • Request a copy of the current zoning bylaw provisions for that zone
  • Confirm with the Province of BC whether and when the SRTAA applies in that area
  • Consult a qualified professional if there is any uncertainty about eligibility

For a broader overview of the compliance landscape, visit our Compliance page. To discuss STR management support, contact Vemian Host.

Official Sources

Information in this article reflects publicly available guidance as of May 2026. Verify current requirements with your regional district and the Province of BC.

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regional district zoning bylaws and STR rules in British Columbia vary significantly and change over time. Operators should verify current requirements with their regional district and consult a qualified professional for advice specific to their property.