Short-term rentals require a District business licence and a temporary use permit. These are separate approvals.
District of Clearwater
Short-Term Rental Framework
The District has established a local framework for short-term rentals. This page explains the two local approval streams, who may be eligible, how to apply, and where to find the forms and supporting documents.
A short-term rental generally means temporary sleeping accommodation provided to the public for payment for a period of less than 90 consecutive days. Most STR operators will need both a land use approval and an operating approval before operating.
At a glance
Most short-term rental hosts in B.C. must also register with the Province unless a provincial exemption applies.
STRs may only be considered in lawful dwelling units and are subject to parcel, guest, parking, and operating limits.
The District is targeting about six weeks for complete, routine files. Complex files may take longer.
Two District approvals may be required
Short-term rentals are reviewed through two separate District processes. Applicants may submit materials together, but the approvals serve different purposes.
Temporary Use Permit
A Temporary Use Permit, or TUP, reviews whether the proposed short-term rental use is appropriate for the property. It may include review of zoning, lawful dwelling status, parking, occupancy, servicing, safety, public notice, neighbourhood compatibility, and site-specific conditions.
Business Licence
A short-term rental business licence reviews the operator and business operation. It includes information such as the operator, local contact person, listing information, required licence number display, and ongoing operating requirements. A provisional business licence may be considered where a required TUP application appears complete and, after preliminary review, staff have a high level of confidence that the proposed use is a good candidate for approval while the Temporary Use Permit application is being processed.
One does not replace the other
If a Temporary Use Permit is required, a business licence does not authorize operation until the required land use approval is also in place. A provisional business licence is temporary and may be considered where preliminary review indicates the TUP application is complete, the proposed STR is in a lawful dwelling unit, and the application appears likely to meet the applicable criteria. A provisional business licence does not guarantee TUP approval and does not remove the need to comply with all other District and provincial requirements.
Application process
How the STR process works
The application process is designed to confirm eligibility, review the land use approval, review the business licence requirements, notify nearby owners and occupiers where required, and make sure any approved STR operates within clear conditions.
Check basic eligibility
Confirm that the proposed STR is in a lawful dwelling unit and that the property and use appear eligible.
Gather your documents
Prepare the site plan, floor plan, parking plan, fire safety information, permissions, and title information.
Apply to the District
Submit the STR business licence application and the TUP application where required.
District review
Staff complete a completeness check and review zoning, safety, servicing, lawful dwelling status, and operating information.
Public notice
Nearby owners and occupiers are notified where required, and written comments are received before a decision is made.
Decision
The application may receive delegated approval or be referred to Council. The business licence is issued when requirements are met.
Final compliance
Complete provincial registration, display required numbers on listings, and operate within all permit and licence conditions.
Submitting materials together
Applicants may submit the TUP and business licence materials together through the STR application package. The District still treats the TUP and business licence as separate decisions. The TUP reviews the land use. The business licence reviews the operator and the business operation.
Download the STR package
Applicants are encouraged to review the combined package and checklist before submitting an application. A complete application package helps reduce delays.
Combined Public Information Package
Start here for the full public package, including the FAQ, readiness checklist, application forms, and policy materials.
Short-Term Rental FAQ
Plain-language answers for operators, neighbours, property owners, Council, and the public.
Application Readiness Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting your application package to reduce delays.
Application Form
Download the standard STR application form package.
Application Form - Fillable
Download the fillable version of the application form package.
STR Temporary Use Permit Policy
Review the policy used to evaluate short-term rental temporary use permit applications.
Before you apply
Not every property or accommodation type is eligible. Applicants should confirm the basic eligibility items before preparing a full application.
Basic eligibility screen
- The property must not be zoned R-3 Multiple Family Residential.
- No more than two short-term rental dwelling units may be considered on a parcel.
- Each proposed short-term rental must be located within a lawful dwelling unit.
- Owner, landlord, or strata authorization must be provided where required.
- A local contact person must be identified and available while guests occupy the STR.
What you may need to submit
Property and permissions
- Current title search or State of Title Certificate
- Copies of documents listed on title, such as covenants and easements
- Owner authorization if the applicant is not the registered owner
- Landlord or strata consent, where applicable
Plans and operating details
- Site plan showing buildings, driveways, parking, guest areas, and access
- Floor plan identifying guest sleeping rooms, exits, and life-safety features
- Parking plan
- Fire safety plan or guest information sheet
- Photos of the proposed STR unit
Servicing and safety
- Water supply and sewer service information
- Wastewater confirmation where required for onsite septic systems
- Garbage and recycling arrangements
- Insurance disclosure confirmation, where available
- Local contact person information
Operating limits if approved
| Topic | General requirement |
|---|---|
| Guest occupancy | The maximum is the lesser of two guests per approved guest sleeping room, three approved guest sleeping rooms per unit, six guests per STR dwelling unit, and ten guests per parcel. |
| Parking | Guest parking is normally expected at one off-street guest parking space for every two approved guest sleeping rooms, to a maximum of three guest parking spaces per parcel, unless the District accepts a different site-specific arrangement. |
| Local contact person | A local contact person must be at least 19 years old, available while guests occupy the STR, and able to attend the property within the time required by the District. |
| Posted guest information | Emergency contact information, civic address, parking instructions, waste and recycling arrangements, quiet hours, fire safety information, and maximum guest limits should be posted inside the STR unit. |
| Parties and events | The framework is not intended to support party-house operations. Parties, events, camping, and outdoor amplified sound are not contemplated unless expressly authorized. |
Fees
| Application or item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permit - delegated application | $750 |
| Additional fee if STR TUP application is referred to Council | $750 |
| Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permit renewal | $250 |
| Annual Short-Term Rental Business Licence | $150 |
| Provisional Short-Term Rental Business Licence | $75 |
Additional costs for professional reports, title documents, insurance review, septic assessment, legal review, or required repairs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Where to pay application fees
Application fees must be paid in person at the District of Clearwater office.
The District is not able to accept online payments for short-term rental applications at this time.
District of Clearwater
209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N0
Common questions
Need the full FAQ?
The page below includes a short selection of common questions. The full FAQ document includes 47 questions and answers covering eligibility, applications, operations, enforcement, and provincial registration.
Are all properties automatically eligible?
No. Eligibility depends on the property, zoning, lawful dwelling status, servicing and safety information, required approvals, and whether the application fits the bylaw and policy criteria.
Will neighbours be notified?
Yes. For delegated STR temporary use permits, the process includes public notice and direct notice to owners and occupiers within the required notice area before a delegated decision is made.
Can I operate while my application is being reviewed?
Do not assume that submitting an application authorizes operation. A provisional business licence may be available in some cases, but it does not replace a required temporary use permit or provincial registration.
Do I still need to register with the Province?
Yes, in most cases. Provincial host registration is separate from District approval. Operators are responsible for meeting both local and provincial requirements unless a specific exemption applies.
Important note
This page is intended as a plain-language guide only. It does not replace District bylaws, Council policy, permit conditions, business licence conditions, or provincial short-term rental requirements. If there is a conflict, the applicable legislation, bylaw, permit, licence, or policy condition prevails.
Questions before applying?
Applicants are encouraged to contact the District before submitting an application, especially where the property includes a secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, onsite septic system, strata restrictions, Agricultural Land Reserve considerations, or unresolved building or enforcement issues.
District of Clearwater
209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N0
Phone: 250-674-2257
Email: admin@docbc.ca