In British Columbia, zoning bylaws that permit short-term cottage rentals are specific for each municipality or regional district. In the resort municipality of Whistler, each property is zoned differently. Some properties are located in zones that allow for both residential and tourism uses. Rental periods that are less than 28 consecutive days are considered tourist accommodation and are not allowed in residential zones, they must be in tourism or commercial zones.

Other regions, like East Kootenay, don’t distinguish rental periods in their zoning bylaws and cabin owners can rent their property to tourists. In this region the rental of ski chalet and cabin is popular because of the number of ski resorts nearby. Some properties are purchased only to provide tourist accommodation.

In the Columbia Shuswap regional district, the majority of land is not zoned and therefore restrictions do not apply. But in the areas that are zoned, weekly rentals are considered tourist accommodation and are not allowed in residential zones. In this region, residents are against building inspections as well and properties not zoned are not required to follow the B.C. building code.

On Vancouver Island, in the district of Tofino, no formal restrictions on short-term rentals exist. Ian Howat, the district’s administrator said the bylaws might change since the district will soon draft an official community plan.

In the Central Okanagan regional district residential zoning bylaw does not specify renting periods for single family dwellings, which include cottages and cabins. Ilene Watson, the district’s planner said neighbours have made complaints against noisy tourists in residential areas and the bylaws may change in the future.

In Sechelt, on the sunshine coast, a cottage owner rented a property to tourists in violation of zoning bylaw (no. 25), which permits rental of properties in residential areas only as permanent residences. The district of Sechelt and the owner agreed to shutdown the short-term cottage rental on the property in which they did not reside. The district released a report on a short-term rental study in August last year. It described the possible impacts of allowing short-term rentals. These included: increased traffic, loss of privacy, increased tourism opportunities, additional home-based employment and greater investment in the community.

The council voted in favor of not allowing short-term rentals in residential zones in Sechelt, but would regulate the bylaw only if residents complained.

In all regions, properties with more than one short-term rental property, such as a resort, were considered a commercial use and must be located in commercial zones where zoning bylaws apply.