The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen does not issue business licences, and they are not required when operating a business within an Electoral Area.

NOTE: the Regional District is currently reviewing its regulatory approach to short-term rental accommodations (including the introduction of a business licence requirement in certain areas) as a result of recent provincial legislative changes. Information related to the business licence component is included below, and additional information is posted on the following webpage under "Vacation Rental Review": 
https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/strategic-projects/

The Regional District has, however, enacted zoning bylaws in Electoral Areas "A", "C", "D", "E", "F", "H" "I" and a small part of Electoral Area "G" and the operators of prospective businesses are encouraged to contact the Planning Department to discuss their future plans in order to ensure compliance with the zoning bylaw(s).  Planning staff can be reached at:

Phone: 250-492-0237
Toll Free: 1-877-610-3737
Email: info@rdos.bc.ca

The zoning of a property can be confirmed in one of the following ways:

• through the Regional District's "Parcel Viewer" 
  (enter the civic address or PID of the property and select "Zoning" in the Layer List); or
• the consolidated versions of the various Electoral Area Zoning Maps under Regional Bylaws (see "Planning").

Within the municipal boundaries of Penticton, Summerland, Osoyoos, Oliver, Princeton & Keremeos a business licence is required and prospective business operators are encouraged to check with these municipalities regarding their business licencing requirements.

The Regional District is currently working on a proposed business license bylaw and related changes to its land use bylaws in order to regulate short-term rental accommodations. Additional information about these projects, including copies of the draft bylaws is available at the Strategic Projects webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I operate a business in the RDOS, do I require a business licence?
   There is currently no business license requirement for short term rentals in the RDOS. However, the introduction of a business license bylaw is currently in progress and may come into force in 2025. If the current draft business license bylaw is adopted, it will apply to “short-term rental accommodation” uses in Electoral Areas “A”, “D”, “E” & “I”. You can learn more about the proposed business licence bylaw and track its progress on our website here: https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/strategic-projects/business-licence-bylaw/
   
   
2. What documentation will be required to obtain a business licence if the bylaw is adopted?
   It is proposed to require the following documentation for an application for a business licence for a “short-term rental accommodation” business:
   
   • Application form
   • Proof of compliance with the provincial Principal Residence Requirement (if applicable)
   • Floor plans
   • Parking plan
   • Health and safety inspection
   • Fire Evacuation Plan of the dwelling
     
     
3. What will be required to complete a Health and Safety Inspection if the bylaw is adopted?
   It is proposed that the Health and Safety Inspection will review for compliance with the following:
   
   • The dwelling unit has been authorized by the Regional District for residential use through the issuance of an Occupancy Permit;
   • One (1) fire extinguisher is provided per floor and mounted in a visible location; 

   • Interconnected smoke alarms are provided on each level;

   • Carbon monoxide alarms are installed where a dwelling unit has been furnished with appliances fueled by gas or wood;
   • Spark arrestors have been installed on all wood burning chimneys;
   • Bedroom windows comply with Building Code requirements for egress;

   • Stairs, decks and balcony have guard rails installed (as required);

   • Electrical and gas systems are in good general condition; and
   • Hot tubs have a lockable cover and pools are surrounded by a minimum 1.2 metre high fence.
     
     
4. How much will a business licence cost if the bylaw is adopted?
   The proposed fee for a business licence application is $500 annually.
   
   
5. Are any other approvals required from the Regional District?
   

   Currently, the Regional District’s zoning bylaws permit “bed and breakfast operation” uses in all zones that allow for a single detached dwelling. No additional approvals are required for this use. However, the Regional District’s zoning bylaws currently prohibit “vacation rental” uses in all zones except at Apex Mountain Resort. Property owners seeking to operate a vacation rental on their property are required to apply for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) application, which must be approved at the discretion of the Regional District Board.

   Additional information about Vacation Rental TUPs can be found at the following webpage:
   https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/application-forms-resources/tups-for-vacation-rentals/

   Please also be aware that the Regional District is currently considering amendments to its land use bylaws in Electoral Areas “A”, “C” & “E” that propose to replace the existing Vacation Rental TUP with a new streamlined Short-Term Rental Permit. Additional information about these proposed changes can be found on the following webpage:
   https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/strategic-projects/short-term-rental-accommodations-electoral-areas-a-c-and-e/
   
   

6. What is “short-term rental accommodation”?
   

   The Regional District’s zoning bylaw currently includes two land uses that are considered short-term rental accommodation: 1) “bed and breakfast operation” and 2) “vacation rental”. The main difference between these uses is whether the operator lives on-site and in the same dwelling unit as guests during operation (this is a requirement for bed and breakfasts, but not for vacation rentals).

   However, the Regional District is currently considering related changes to its land use bylaws that propose to combine “bed and breakfast operation” and “vacation rental” into a new “short-term rental accommodation” use class, in order to align with the language used in new provincial legislation. You can learn more about the proposed amendments and track their progress on the following webpage: https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/strategic-projects/short-term-rental-accommodations-electoral-area-d-f-and-i/
   
   

7. What is not “short-term rental accommodation”?
   

   Other commercial uses that are intended for temporary accommodation of the travelling public (e.g. tourist cabins, campground, hotels, motels, etc.) are not considered short-term rental accommodation under the Regional District’s land use bylaws. In general, these uses are only permitted in areas that are zoned for this type of use and where adequate services are available.
   
   

8. How do these changes relate to the Province’s new requirements?
   

   On October 26, 2023, the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act received royal assent and introduced a number of new requirements for short-term rental operations in BC. Of note, short-term rental hosts will be required to register their property with the Province and must include their registration number when advertising the rental on a listing platform (e.g. Air BnB, VRBO, etc.). If a business licence is required by the applicable local government, the Province also requires that the valid business licence number must be included when advertising the rental on a listing platform. If the principal residence requirement applies to the short-term rental, the application to register the rental with the Province must include a declaration that the rental complies with this requirement.

   While the principal residence requirement does not automatically apply to any of the RDOS Electoral Areas, Electoral Areas “D”, “F” & “I” have decided to opt-in to this requirement (with the exception of Apex Mountain Resort, which is exempt from this requirement. Additional information about the RDOS decision to opt-in to this requirement can be found at the following RDOS webpage under “Principal Residence Requirement "Opt-in" (2024)”: https://www.rdos.bc.ca/development-services/planning/strategic-projects/vacation-rental-review/

   For assistance with the Province’s registration requirements, please call Service BC at 1-833-828-2240, email the STR Registry Team at STRregistry@gov.bc.ca, or visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/short-term-rentals/short-term-rental-legislation
   
   
9. Can I register my property with the Province without a business license from RDOS?
   

   Yes. The Province’s deadline for a business license number to be added to a listing on an online platform is August 1, 2025. In the meantime, a short-term rental host may register their property without obtaining a business license. The host will need to upload documentation indicating that they have either applied for a business licence, or that applications for business licenses are not yet possible.