2026-04-08 –
District of Clearwater statement on short-term rentals
The District of Clearwater is aware that questions and concerns are circulating regarding short-term rentals.
At this time, no new short-term rental bylaw package has yet been adopted by Council. A proposed framework is being prepared for Council consideration because the Province of British Columbia has significantly changed the rules for short-term rentals. The Province now requires hosts to register, requires compliance with local bylaws and business licensing where applicable, and has removed legal non-conforming use protections that previously allowed some short-term rentals to continue despite local bylaws.
Clearwater staff are working to bring forward a practical local framework that gives operators a path toward legality and compliance rather than leaving them with no workable local option. The intent is not to be punitive. The intent is to respond to provincial changes, protect neighbourhoods, and create a clear process for those willing to comply.
It is important to understand that short-term rentals are not the same as a bed and breakfast. Under Clearwater’s current bylaws, a bed and breakfast is a narrow use where temporary sleeping accommodation is provided by a resident family member within the same dwelling unit where the operator lives. If the accommodation is a separate whole home, separate self-contained suite, or detached dwelling unit, it is generally not a bed and breakfast under the current bylaw framework.
Historically, Clearwater has not had a dedicated short-term rental regulatory pathway, and enforcement has largely been complaint-driven. The current work is being undertaken because provincial registry and compliance requirements are now pushing operators to either legalize their operations or stop operating.
More information will be provided when the proposed Council report and bylaws are released on the public agenda.
For more information on the Province of British Columbia’s short-term rental rules, registration requirements, and compliance framework, please visit the following provincial resources:
- B.C. Short-Term Rentals Main Information Page
Overview of the provincial short-term rental framework, including legislation, registration, and compliance resources. - Register as a Host
Information on who must register, required documents, fees, and business licence requirements. - B.C.’s Short-Term Rental Principal Residence Requirement
Explains where the provincial principal residence requirement applies, exemptions, and the provincial map. - Information for Local Governments
Explains how provincial registration interacts with local bylaws, business licences, and local government enforcement. - Short-Term Rental Compliance and Enforcement
Information on the Province’s Compliance and Enforcement Unit and how provincial complaints are handled. - Platform Requirements
Explains listing display rules, business licence and registration number display, validation, and takedown requirements for platforms.
