Short-Term Rental Accommodation and Bed and Breakfast Operation

Tips for STR Hosts

Considering hosting a STR? Review these important tips.

Living Close to an STR

Learn more about living close to an STR.

Overview

At the Regular Open Coucil Meeting held on October 14th, 2025, the Town of Osoyoos Council resolved to adopt Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400, 2025. This bylaw repeals and replaces the Town of Osoyoos Business Licence Bylaw No. 1045, 1997.

The key changes made to the business licence application process include:

Updated application fees;
New general application requirements;
New requirements specific to short-term rental accommodation and bed and breakfast operations.

Provincial Regulations

As Town has opted-in to the Provincial Principal Residence Requirement under the Act, which limits STRs to the host's principal residence and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling unit.
For further details, please see the link below:

B.C's short-term rental principal resident requirement

Hosts are required to register with the Province. Host registration requires compliance with provinicial regualtions and short-term rental bylaws, including a valid Town of Osoyoos business licence.

For assistance, hosts and the general public can contact ServiceBC at 1-833-828-2240, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time.

Register: Short-term rental registration - Province of British Columbia

Operating a short-term rental accommodation or bed and breakfast operation requires a valid business licence. This requirement is intended to ensure compliance with safety standards and to mitigate potential nuisances. The associated regulations establish clear guidelines to support property owners in managing their accommodations responsibly.

Before you Apply

Please ensure that you familiarize yourself with the business licence application and its associated requirements. You will be required to sign a statutory declaration before a Commissioner for Oaths. In doing so, you must be able to certify that all information provided in your application is complete and accurate, and that all statements made are true to the best of your knowledge. Please be advised that providing false or misleading information may result in enforcement action.

Business Licence Application and Related Materials

Business Licence Application - Short-Term Rental Accommodation or Bed and Breakfast Operation

Sample Site and Parking Plan

Sample Floor Plan

Sample Evacuation Plan

Which Zones Allow STRs

What is the Difference Between a STR and Bed and Breakfast Operation

There are clear distinctions between a Short-Term Rental (STR) accommodation and a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) operation. Please review the information below to determine which model is most appropriate for your property.

Below are the definitions from the Town of Osoyoos Zoning Bylaw 1395, 2024.

Short-Term Rental Accommodation: means the use of a residential dwelling unit for the temporary commercial accommodation of paying guests for a period of less than one month, but excludes a bed and breakfast operation.

Bed and Breakfast Operations: means an occupation conducted within a principal dwelling unit, by the residents of the dwelling unit, which provides sleeping accommodations to the traveling public and may include the provision of meals for those persons using the sleeping accommodations

Questions?

Please contact the Planning & Development Department at plan@osoyoos.ca or 250-495-6191