Short Term Rentals and Bed & Breakfasts

To operate a Bed & Breakfast, the B&B must be within your principal residence and you must be occupying the dwelling unit or building during the rental period.

If you are a renter, you must have your landlord's permission (there is a template form below under the heading of supplemental forms and drawings required to apply.

The following is permitted for B&Bs in residential zones:

• A permanent resident may operate a B&B (rental of rooms) within a single detached dwelling.
• Within a single titled duplex one can either live in one half, operate a B&B, and rent the other half long term. Or,  live in one half and operate an STR in the other half.
• Subject to the permanent resident operating the business, residing on the property and occupying their residence during the commercial B&B use of up to three bedrooms. 
• Maximum of six guests.  

The following is prohibited for B&Bs in residential zones:

• A B&B must be within the principal building.
• Rental of an entire single detached dwelling.
• A B&B must not be on a property that contains a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling (ex. coach house, garden suite, carriage house or laneway house). 
• A B&B in a multi-family residential building or in a manufactured home zone. 

Fees are based on the number of sleeping units.

Business Licence Fees:

• 1 bedroom: $125/year
• 2 bedrooms: $175/year
• 3 bedrooms: $225/year

Water and Sewer fees:

A B&B inspection will examine some of the following life safety items: smoke and CO alarms, hand/guard rails, egress from sleeping rooms, range hood/bathroom exhaust, fire extinguishers, exits etc.

Below are some of the requirements to operate a B&B:

• Parking: you must provide two onsite parking spaces for the residence plus an additional parking space for each B&B room.  These must be kept clear of snow and debris.  
• Contact Information: You must provide your contact information as the operator of the B&B and be available for contact 24 hours a day during periods when the B&B is rented, and respond to any nuisance complaints within 2 hours of notification.
• Signage: you must have a sign posted on the property visible from the street which contains the name of the business and contact information for the operator. 
• Notification: you must notify neighbouring property owners on all adjacent sides of the licensed premises that a B&B is being operated and provide contact information for the operator.
• Listings and advertising: your valid business licence number must be posted in any website listings, advertisements, and marketing and promotional materials.
• You must display the following information within the B&B premise:
  • The business licence inside the entryway.
  • A floor plan identifying the location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, each approved sleeping unit, the types of bed in each sleeping unit and the location of any sofa beds.
  • Contact information inside the entryway for the operator or responsible person.
• You will be asked to submit an Annual Inspection and Declaration Form.
  • Fillable PDF Form
  • Webform
• If your B&B is licensed, you must facilitate periodic inspections of the STR premise and property as requested and conducted by the Licence Inspector and the Fire Department.

To operate a short-term rental (STR), the STR must be within your principal residence and you must be occupying the dwelling unit or building during the rental period.

If you are a renter, you must have your landlord's permission (there is a template form below under the heading of supplemental forms and drawings required to apply.

The following is permitted in residential zones:

• A permanent resident may operate a STR (rental of a dwelling unit) within a single detached dwelling with a secondary suite, if they live in the other suite.
• Within a single titled duplex one can live in one half and operate an STR in the other half.
• Subject to the permanent resident residing on the property and occupying their residence during the commercial STR/B&B use of up to three bedrooms. 
• Maximum of six guests.  

The following is prohibited in residential zones:

• A STR must be within the principal building.
• Rental of an entire single detached dwelling.
• A secondary suite is not permitted in a duplex and thereby an STR cannot operate from a half duplex or single titled fee-simple duplex.  
• A B&B or STR must not be on a property that contains a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling (ex. carriage house). 
• A STR in a multi-family residential building or in a manufactured home zone. 

Fees are based on the number of sleeping units.

Business Licence Fees:

• 1 bedroom: $175/year
• 2 bedrooms: $225/year
• 3 bedrooms: $275/year

Water and Sewer fees:

A Residential STR inspection will involve the same includes:

• Examining some of the following life safety items: smoke and CO alarms, hand/guard rails, egress from sleeping rooms, range hood/bathroom exhaust, fire extinguishers, exits etc.
• Checking for compliance of the secondary suite with part 9 of the BC Building Code and Town Bylaws.
  • Please see the Town of Golden’s Secondary Suite Bulletin for further information on required life safety systems, fire and noise separations, egress requirements, parking etc.
  • The suite requires an Occupancy Permit, either issued in the past or to current Code regulations as per building permit and inspection.

Below are some of the requirements to operate an STR:

• Parking: you must provide two parking spaces for the residence plus an additional parking space for each STR room. 
• Contact Information: You must provide your contact information as the operator or the person responsible for the STR and be available for contact 24 hours a day during periods when the STR is rented, and respond to any nuisance complaints within 2 hours of notification.
• Signage: you must have a sign posted on the property visible from the street which contains the name of the short-term rental business and contact information for the operator. 
• Notification: you must notify neighbouring property owners on all adjacent sides of the licensed premises that a STR is being operated and provide contact information for the operator or responsible person to such neighbours.
• Listings and advertising: your valid business licence number must be posted in any website listings, advertisements, and marketing and promotional materials.
• You must display the following information within the STR premise:
  • The business licence inside the entryway.
  • A floor plan in each approved sleeping unit identifying the location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, each approved sleeping unit, the types of bed in each sleeping unit and the location of any sofa beds.
  • Contact information inside the entryway for the operator or responsible person.
• You will be asked to submit an Annual Inspection and Declaration Form.
  • Fillable PDF Form
  • Webform
• If your STR is licensed, you must facilitate periodic inspections of the STR premise and property as requested and conducted by the Licence Inspector and the Fire Department.

Short-term rentals are permitted in C1, C2, C2, C4 and C6 commercial zone dwelling units without the permanent resident requirement.

If you are a renter and/or in a strata, you must have your landlord's and/or strata corporation's permission (there is a template form below under the heading of supplemental forms and drawings required to apply.

Maximum of 3 rooms and 8 guests.  

Fees are based on the number of sleeping units.

Business Licence Fees:

• 1 bedroom: $200/year
• 2 bedrooms: $250/year
• 3 bedrooms: $300/year

Water and Sewer fees:

A Residential STR inspection will involve the same includes:

• Examining some of the following life safety items: smoke and CO alarms, hand/guard rails, egress from sleeping rooms, range hood/bathroom exhaust, fire extinguishers, exits etc.

Below are some of the requirements to operate a commercially zoned STR:

• Parking: as provided in the commercial zone.   
• Contact Information: You must provide contact information for a responsible person (ex. manager) and the responsible person must be available for contact 24 hours a day during periods when the STR is rented, and respond to any nuisance complaints within 2 hours of notification.
• Listings and advertising: your valid business licence number must be posted in any website listings, advertisements, and marketing and promotional materials.
• You must display the following information within the STR premise:
  • The business licence inside the entryway.
  • A floor plan in each approved sleeping unit identifying the location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, each approved sleeping unit, the types of bed in each sleeping unit and the location of any sofa beds.
  • Contact information inside the entryway for the operator and responsible person.
• You will be asked to submit an Annual Inspection and Declaration Form.
  • Fillable PDF Form
  • Webform
• If your STR is licensed, you must facilitate periodic inspections of the STR premise and property as requested and conducted by the Licence Inspector and the Fire Department.

• Business license application (fillable pdf) 
• STR and B&B application (fillable pdf)
• Property owner consent form (for renters)
• Strata corporation consent form (for commercially zoned STRs)
• Sample drawings
  • Residential zone parking/site plan
  • Commercial/residential floor plan 

• Annual Inspection and Declaration Form - Bed and Breakfast / Short-Term Rental:
  • Fillable PDF Form
  • Webform

These FAQs have been drafted to respond to common community questions efficiently and are not a substitute for the Town’s bylaws. 

1. Do I need a business licence for a bed and breakfast (B&B) and a short term rental (STR)?
   • Yes, the Town of Golden recognizes the benefits that short-term rentals can provide, from secondary income for residents, to increased tourism. Issuance of a business license is essential for bylaw compliance, safety, and regulatory fairness. 
2. What if I do not get a business licence? How will these regulations be enforced?
   • At first there will be a voluntary compliance period and education and then enforcement will commence which could include daily fines of up to $500, if required. Also, the Town can request, through a future Provincial online webportal, that the online accommodation platform (ex. Airbnb or VRBO) remove the listing. 
3. What is the difference between a B&B and a STR and what will the inspection involve?
   • A bed and breakfast is the rental of bedrooms to provide temporary accommodation to the traveling public within a single detached dwelling or half duplex occupied by a permanent resident.
     • The inspection will examine some of the following life safety items: smoke and CO alarms, hand/guard rails, egress from sleeping rooms, range hood/bathroom exhaust, fire extinguishers (minimum size 2A:10B:C), exits etc.
   • In a residential zone, a short term rental is renting a dwelling unit (i.e. a secondary suite with its own kitchen) to provide temporary accommodation to the traveling public where another dwelling unit within the building is occupied by a permanent resident. 
     • The inspection will involve the same items as a B&B as well as check for compliance of the secondary suite with part 9 of the BC Building Code and Town Bylaws. The suite requires an Occupancy Permit, either issued in the past or to current Code regulations as per inspection. Please see the Town of Golden’s Secondary Suite Bulletin for further information on required life safety systems, fire and noise separations, egress requirements, parking etc.
4. What is the requirement for the exterior signage?
   • The display of contact information, both inside and outside the rental premises, is required to ensure accessibility in the event of an emergency requiring the immediate attention of the operator. An exterior sign may be allowed to be placed outside and by the front door, provided that the front door faces directly onto the street and the signage is visible from the street. Smaller letters of contact number may be allowed. The display of the operator's name may be omitted. An email may be displayed as an addition to the phone number.
5. The B&B rental area in my dwelling unit does not qualify as a secondary suite, but I still would like to provide some kitchen facilities to my guests. What are my options?
   • The B&B guests can share the main kitchen in your home or if the room layout allows, for example by having a rec-room, flex room or separate living room adjacent to the guest bedrooms, a so called “wet bar” can be installed for the guest’s convenience. This wet counter can include a sink, bar fridge (under-counter) and microwave oven. Not allowable are: hardwired or countertop cooking appliances (range, oven, cooktop, etc.), full size fridges, dishwashers etc. These appliances would potentially allow the guest area to be operated independently from the principal dwelling and therefore constitute a separate suite. See paragraph above for difference between B&Bs connected to the principal dwelling and STRs in secondary suites. 
6. I am a renter, can I operate a B&B or a proposed STR?
   • Yes, please make sure you have your landlord’s permission, the Town has a template consent letter to submit with your application. You must be the operator and a permanent resident in the dwelling unit (for a B&B) or the principal building on the lot (for an STR).
7. Where Can I operate a B&B or STR?
   • R1(B&B only), R1-S, R1-D, R2, R2-A, R5 and C5 zones. 
   • In the C1, C2, C3, C4 and C6 commercial zoned dwelling units can be operated as an STR without the permeant resident requirement.
8. I live in a residentially zoned multiple dwelling or manufactured home (ex. apartment, condominium, townhouse, mobile homes, and manufactured homes) can I apply for a B&B or STR?
   • These units are often more affordable and attainable as well they have shared spaces, hallways, live in close proximity i.e. noise / safety and therefore they have been excluded from the Town’s regulations. 
9. Is there a control on the total number of B&Bs and STRs within the Town of Golden?
   • Having a regulatory system in place that is proactively monitored and the permanent resident requirements will contribute to maintaining residential properties as long term housing stock as well as help manage the growth of B&Bs and STRs. The Town did examine quotas, caps, lotteries and temporary use permits to more directly control numbers, but these systems were deemed to be too complicated and very administratively burdensome. However, there are regulations that will control the number of B&Bs and STRs; including the following: the permanent resident requirement in residential zones, only certain zones allow the use and other zones prohibit the use (ex. R3,R4,R6,R7 and industrial zones), no B&B/STR use on a property with a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling (DSRDs ex. carriage house) and other regulations.
10. I have a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling (DSRDs ex. carriage house) can I operate a B&B or STR?
    • On a lot, with a Detached Secondary Residential Dwelling Unit (DSRDs – ex. coach house, garden suite, laneway house, or carriage house) the B&B and STR use is prohibited in all buildings.  Carriage houses were introduced in 2012 to encourage long term rental housing.  With the DSRD use, there can be impacts on backyard shading/privacy and at times this has been controversial with neighbours. This was the balance to increase residential rental housing options which was the main intent of introducing this housing typology to the zoning bylaw and therefore, B&B or STR were not allowed on these lots.  
11. Why don’t B&Bs and STRs listings have to pay commercial property tax?
    • Property tax assessment is outside of a municipality’s authority. BC Assessment is responsible for assessing the tax required of each property in the province. Although there are nuances to this, provincial regulations have a four unit or less basis before a property is split classified residential/commercial. 
12. Do sales taxes need to be remitted to senior government?
    • Yes and proof remittance of the Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT i.e. hotel tax) will have to be submitted to the Town within 3 months of licence issuance and annualy at licence renewal.
13. Does my standard homeowner’s or tenant’s insurance policy cover me as a host?
    • This varies case-by-case. You are strongly advised to consult with a licenced insurance broker.  renting take place. This includes both property damage and liability insurance.
14. Can I have guests in my residentially zoned B&B or STR if I am out of town?
    1. No, the intent, in residential areas, is that the operator is also occupying the dwelling unit or building during the rental period. 
15. Can I have other accessory uses if I have a bed and breakfast or a proposed short-term rental?

16. How much on-site parking do I need to provide?

17. How much is a business licence fee:

18. Do I have to pay more for water and sewer fees?

• Yes, fees are based on number of sleeping units for flat fee residential properties. 

19. Do I need a business licence if I long term rent a suite or bedroom?
    • Not at this time, unless it is an entire apartment building or mobile home park. 
20. If I don't have a licence by May 1, 2025, will Airbnb or other online platforms remove my listing?
    • Since May 1, 2024, the Province has required hosts to display a valid business license; however, the Town will not be requesting that listings be removed until the application backlog has progressed. Due to the licensing processing backlog, the Town of Golden (and 18 other communities) were approved for a 3-month extension to the Registry. This allows a Golden STR/ B&B operator to apply to the Provincial Registry up until June 1, 2025, without providing a copy of their Town of Golden business licence. Proof of a business licence application (i.e. an email from the Town confirming receipt of the application) will suffice for applying to the Provincial Registry. Operators will need to upload a copy of their business licence to their provincial registration dashboard by August 1, 2025, or their registration will be cancelled and listing removed. 
21. If I don’t have a licence by May 1, 2024 will Airbnb or other online platforms remove my listing?
    • As of May 1, 2024, the Province will require hosts to display a valid business licence. The Town recently completed a webpage and online application process for short-term rentals, which will soft launch in mid-April 2024. It may take many months to work through the applications.  The Town will not be requesting that listings be removed until these initial applications are processed and further education has occured. 
22. Is there a specific number of days rented, either maximum or minimum, which establishes a B&B or an STR?
    • No. As per the consolidated Zoning Bylaw 1294, 2011 definitions:
      • “Short Term Rental” means the commercial use of a Dwelling Unit to provide temporary accommodation to the traveling public.
      • “Bed and Breakfast” means the commercial use of a Single Detached Dwelling by a Permanent Resident of the Dwelling Unit to provide temporary accommodation in the form of Sleeping Units in the Dwelling Unit to the travelling public, while the operator continues to reside in the Dwelling Unit, and where the room rate may include meals.
    • For clarity, this applies for any length of stay. It is really about the residential use of the dwelling unit rather than the length of time the unit is used as temporary accommodation.  The B&B and STR use definitions should be read with the definition of residential use in mind which is: 
      • “Residential Use” means the use of a building or a part thereof as a Dwelling Unit by persons as a fixed place of abode and as their primary residence from which they are absent only as a part of a domestic routine including, without limitation, work and vacations.
    • So further, for example, if a member of the travelling public stays in a STR unit for three days, thirty days or forty-five days, it still represents temporary accommodation as they do not actually reside in the unit as a “Resident.”   By definition, a short-term rental is the commercial use of a dwelling unit to provide temporary accommodation for any length of stay.

• Zoning Bylaw B&B and STR Excerpt
• B&B and STR Bylaw 1438, 2020 
• B&B and STR FAQ (same as accordion above)
• 2022 Bulletin - Secondary Suite Ready Dwellings
• The Province of BC's new rules for short-term rentals
• October 2023 Town of Golden new release: Provincial Short Term Rental Regulations 
• December 2020 Town of Golden news release - Council approves short term rental regulations for Golden