STR safety checklist: smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire plans, and records.

Safety is an ongoing operator responsibility

Short-term rental operators in British Columbia are responsible for ensuring their property meets applicable safety standards: not just when they first apply for a licence, but for as long as the property is actively operating as a short-term rental. Guest safety is not a one-time setup task; it requires regular attention and maintenance.

The City of Vancouver and other BC municipalities reference safety standards in their STR licensing requirements. The checklist below covers the key physical safety elements that operators should have in place before the first guest arrives: and verify regularly thereafter.

Smoke alarms

BC's Fire Services Act and municipal bylaws require working smoke alarms in residential properties. For short-term rental operators, the standard expectation is:

• A working smoke alarm on every floor of the dwelling, including the basement
• A smoke alarm in or near each sleeping area (bedroom or adjacent hallway)
• Alarms tested regularly and batteries replaced as needed
• Interconnected alarms (where all alarms sound when one is triggered) strongly recommended

Smoke alarms have a service life: typically 8–10 years from the manufacture date. Replace alarms that are past their service life even if they appear to work during a test.

Carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors are required in residential properties in BC where a fuel-burning appliance, attached garage, or fireplace is present. For STR operators:

• Install a CO detector on every floor that contains sleeping areas
• Place detectors near sleeping areas and near any fuel-burning appliances (furnace, gas stove, fireplace)
• Test detectors regularly and replace per manufacturer instructions

CO is colourless and odourless. Guests cannot detect a CO problem without a functioning detector. This is a life-safety item with no acceptable shortcut.

Fire extinguisher

Operators should provide a fire extinguisher that is:

• Rated for residential use (typically an ABC-rated extinguisher)
• Mounted in a clearly visible and accessible location: the kitchen is the most common placement
• Inspected annually or according to the manufacturer's schedule
• Not past its service or inspection date

Include clear instructions for guests on where the extinguisher is located and when to use it (versus evacuating immediately).

Emergency exit information

Guests who are unfamiliar with a property need clear guidance in an emergency. Operators should provide:

• A clearly posted or accessible emergency information sheet
• The property's civic address (full street address) for calling emergency services
• Evacuation routes from each sleeping area and the main living areas
• Location of fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and CO detectors
• Emergency contact number for the operator (24/7 availability, as required by many municipalities)

Locks and physical security

All entry points, including exterior doors, windows at accessible heights, and any shared access points, should have functioning locks. Operators should also ensure that access codes or key systems are reset or rotated between guest stays, particularly for keypad entry systems. Guest safety includes protecting guests from unauthorized access during their stay.

Keeping safety records

Operators should maintain a simple log of safety maintenance activities: when alarms were tested, when the fire extinguisher was inspected, and when any safety-related maintenance was performed. This record is useful if a complaint or compliance audit ever raises safety concerns, and it supports a pattern of responsible operation.

For guidance on STR record-keeping broadly, see: STR audit-ready records: what BC hosts should keep. For a complete overview of ongoing operator responsibilities, see: Short-term rental operator responsibilities in BC.