Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rental definition

A short-term rental is the renting of a dwelling unit by its owner to members of the public for temporary accommodation for a period of less than 90 consecutive days for each patron. 

• Commonly referred to as vacation rentals or used by people on temporary work assignment or medical stays
• A short-term rental does not include bed and breakfast, boarding and lodging and tourist accommodation

Hosting a short-term rental

Hosting a short-term rental is subject to the following restrictions:

• Only the property owner may host a short-term rental
• The property owner must reside at the properly hosting the short-term rental as their primary residence either in same dwelling unit as the short-term rental or in another dwelling unit within the home or on the same lot
• Short-term rentals cannot be operated by tenants

Permitted housing types

A short-term rental is permitted only in the following housing types:

• Single-family dwelling and up to one secondary suite, coach house or garden suite
• A townhouse unit
• An apartment unit with one lock-off suite (if applicable) 

Business license requirements

An owner of a short-term rental in Surrey must obtain a business license prior to commenting their short-term rental operation. The business license fee is $358 per year (plus any applicable application fees).

For questions or additional information regarding the requirements and application process for an short-term rental business license, contact Business Licensing.

Compliance & enforcement

The City may issue Bylaw Notice Enforcement Notices, Municipal Ticket Informations (MTIs), commence legal proceedings, or take other enforcement measures for non-compliance with short-term rental bylaw provisions.  

Compliance and enforcement is also administered through the Province of British Columbia’s Short-Term Rental Compliance and Enforcement Unit (CEU), within the Ministry of Housing. 

Resources

Contact information 

For additional questions or information in relation to short-term rentals, contact:  

• Zoning requirements: 604-591-4448  
• Business licenses: 604-591-4370 ext. 4   
• Complaints & enforcement: 604-591-4370 ext.1 or report a problem online 

If you wish to contact the Compliance and Enforcement Unit (CEU) within the Short-Term Rental Branch in the Ministry of Housing, please visit short-term rental compliance and enforcement.