City of Richmond STR Regulations 2026

To legally operate a short-term rental in Richmond, you need:

✓The property must be your principal residence — you must live on-site
✓A City of Richmond business licence (B&B or Boarding & Lodging type)
✓A BC provincial registration number displayed on all listings
✓Room rentals only — entire-unit rentals are not permitted in Richmond
✓Strata approval if applicable (required for Boarding & Lodging in strata buildings)

⚠ Critical Rule: Entire-Unit Rentals Are Not Permitted in Richmond

Unlike Vancouver, Richmond does not allow entire-unit short-term rentals under any licence type. Renting out an entire condo or house on Airbnb while the host is away is generally illegal in Richmond. All short-term rentals must be room-based, with the host living in the property.

Short-Term Rentals in Richmond

Definition: A short-term rental is any rental for less than 90 consecutive days. Richmond permits STRs through two specific licence types — Bed & Breakfast and Boarding & Lodging — both requiring the host to live on-site.

Richmond has some of the most restrictive STR rules in Metro Vancouver. The host-occupied requirement and prohibition on entire-unit rentals make Richmond fundamentally different from cities like Vancouver where entire-unit Airbnb rentals are permitted with an STR licence.

Two Licence Types in Richmond

Richmond allows short-term rentals through two specific pathways. Both require you to live in the property, and neither permits renting an entire unit.

Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

For detached homes — host lives on-site, up to 3 rooms, up to 6 guests

✗ Entire unit rental not permitted
✓ Room rentals (max 3 rooms)
✓ Max 6 guests (2 per room)
✓ Breakfast typically required
✓ Host must live on-site
— Min 500 m from another B&B
✗ Detached houses only (no condos/townhouses)
✗ Not allowed if property has secondary suites

Boarding & Lodging

For condos, apartments, and houses — host lives on-site, max 2 guests

✗ Entire unit rental not permitted
✓ Room rentals (max 2 guests total)
✓ Condos and apartments allowed
✓ Detached houses and duplexes allowed
✓ Host must live on-site
— Strata approval required if in strata
✗ No separate cooking facilities for guests
✗ Cannot operate in secondary suites

Which Licence Is Right for You?

Your property type determines which licence — if any — you can apply for in Richmond.

🏢 Boarding & Lodging

Condo Owner Renting a Room

You own a condo, live there, and rent one bedroom to a guest. Maximum 2 guests. Strata approval required. A Boarding & Lodging licence is the correct choice.

🏠 B&B Licence

Detached House Renting Rooms

You own a detached house, live in it, and rent up to 3 bedrooms to guests. Maximum 6 guests. A Bed & Breakfast licence is required. No secondary suites on the property.

🚫 Not Permitted

Entire-Unit or Investment Property

Renting an entire condo while away, operating an investment property as an STR, or renting a basement suite are all not permitted in Richmond under any licence type.

Summary: What You Need

Legal short-term rentals in the City of Richmond require all of the following.

✓
Principal Residence + Host On-Site — The property must be your primary home and you must live there during guest stays. Richmond requires host-occupied rentals only.
✓
City of Richmond Business Licence — Choose Bed & Breakfast (detached homes, up to 6 guests) or Boarding & Lodging (most property types, max 2 guests). Renew annually.
✓
BC Provincial Registration Number — Register with the provincial STR registry and display your registration number on all listings.
✓
Room Rentals Only — Entire-unit short-term rentals are not permitted in Richmond. You must remain in the property during guest stays.
✓
Strata Approval (if applicable) — Required for Boarding & Lodging licences in strata buildings. B&B licences are not available in condos or strata properties.

Official Resources

For authoritative and up-to-date information, visit:

City of Richmond: The City of Richmond's business licence section provides current licence types, application requirements, eligibility rules, and fee schedules for short-term rental operations.

Province of BC — STR Registry: The provincial short-term rental registry is where all BC hosts must register to receive their provincial registration number before listing.

Regulations change regularly. Always verify current requirements directly with the City of Richmond and the Province of BC before listing your property.

⚠ Disclaimer: This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the City of Richmond and the Province of BC, and consider consulting a qualified professional. Last verified: March 2026.

City of Richmond — STR Regulations