Municipality
Do I need a licence to run a short-term rental in Kelowna?
Kelowna licenses short-term rentals directly, alongside the Province's own host registration.
What the rules say
If the property's strata bylaws do not permit short-term rentals, the operator cannot proceed regardless of City licensing.
Source: Operating practice from the previous service (July 2026); not a government rule, verified 2026-09-02
A City business licence is required to operate an STR. Processing 2–4 weeks after a complete package.
Source: City of Kelowna, Short-term rentals, verified 2026-09-02
Minor use: the operator's principal residence, occupied ≥ 240 days/year. A secondary suite or carriage house on the same lot as the principal residence also qualifies.
Source: City of Kelowna, Short-term rentals, verified 2026-09-02
Major use (not the operator's principal residence) is permitted only at properties in the STR sub-zone / on the council-approved address list (about 25 addresses approved May 2026, zoning designation Z26-0004; areas include McKinley Beach, downtown St. Paul St, Sunset Dr, Lakeshore Rd, and the Aqua, Movala and Brooklyn buildings). Ordinary residential zones remain principal-residence only.
Source: City of Kelowna, Short-term rentals, verified 2026-09-02
In a strata, the strata's bylaws must permit STR; the application needs the strata's written confirmation.
Source: Operating practice from the previous service (July 2026); not a government rule, verified 2026-09-02
A tenant operating an STR from their principal residence needs the landlord's written consent.
Source: Operating practice from the previous service (July 2026); not a government rule, verified 2026-09-02
Fees
Application fee
$50 non-refundable application fee.
$50.00
Source: City of Kelowna, Short-term rentals, verified 2026-09-02
Annual licence fee, minor use
$345/year licence fee (minor use / principal residence).
$345.00
Source: City of Kelowna, Short-term rentals, verified 2026-09-02
Annual licence fee, major use
Annual fee for major-use (non-principal-residence) licences. A secondary source says $750; the live city page implies $345 applies uniformly.
Source: City of Kelowna STR bylaw fee/requirements schedule (Bylaw 11720/12861) — PDF not readable at registry build time, verified 2026-09-02
What we do here
We check your address and situation against Kelowna's published rules, tell you which documents you will need, and help you file your application and licence fees.
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