Business licences required for Nanaimo short-term rentals

Short-term rental units and bed-and-breakfast operations in Nanaimo will soon have to take out a business licence to operate. Applications are being accepted for business licences as of April 1.

Carla Wilson Mar 11, 2022 5:01 PM Mar 11, 2022 5:22 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn

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Short-term rental units and bed-and-breakfast operations in Nanaimo will soon have to take out a business licence to operate.

Applications are being accepted for business licences as of April 1.

Nanaimo has put together a seven-page short-term-operators guide with information on zoning and bylaw rules, including the noise bylaw, as well as building and fire safety information, and parking rules. Anyone interested can find the guide online at nanaimo.ca or pick one up at 411 Dunsmuir St.

Acting Mayor Coun. Ben Geselbracht said the regulations will allow short-term rentals as an accommodation option while minimizing the impact on the long-term rental market.

The guide will help operators be good neighbours, he said.

Other communities, including Victoria, have moved to regulate and require business licences for short-term rentals as they have grown in popularity.