Independent guide · official sources · updated October 2026

Short-term rental rules in Canada: by province and in the big cities

Principal residence, registration, allowed periods, taxes: what is allowed before you buy to rent on Airbnb.

In short

In Canada, short-term rentals (under 31 days, Airbnb-style) are regulated by the province and above all by the city, and the dominant rule is the same everywhere: you can rent out your principal residence, rarely a unit you do not live in. In Quebec, a CITQ registration number is mandatory and must appear in the listing; in Montreal, a principal residence can only be rented from June 10 to September 10, with an annual permit. In British Columbia, the principal-residence requirement applies in communities over 10,000 people, with a mandatory provincial registry. In Toronto, an entire principal residence can be rented for at most 180 nights a year, after registration. A non-compliant rental can also lose its federal tax deductions.

The main rules, by place

Place	What you can rent	Requirement
Quebec (province)	Principal residence; anything else depends on municipal zoning	CITQ registration number, shown in the listing
Montreal	Principal residence, June 10 to September 10 (year-round where commercial tourist residences are allowed); not in Lachine, Saint-Laurent or Saint-Léonard	Annual municipal permit, on top of CITQ
British Columbia	Principal residence plus one secondary suite, in communities over 10,000 people (some exempt)	Mandatory provincial registry, annual fees
Toronto	Principal residence: up to 3 bedrooms with no limit, or the entire home 180 nights a year	Municipal registration; number in the listing
Elsewhere in Ontario and Canada	Depends on the municipal bylaw	Check with the city

Rules checked on October 14, 2026 on official websites. They change often, and so do municipal fees and fines: always check the source before buying or posting a listing.

Before buying to rent short-term

The numbers on a building bought "for Airbnb" rest entirely on the right to rent it. Check the zoning of the exact address, the condo declaration and bylaws (many prohibit short-term rentals) and your home insurance, which often excludes commercial activity. A lender may also refuse to count short-term rental income to qualify you.

On taxes, since January 1, 2024, the federal government denies deductions for the expenses of a short-term rental that does not comply with provincial or municipal rules. And a home rented on Airbnb can lose all or part of the principal residence exemption when sold.

Frequently asked questions

What are the short-term rental rules in Canada?

Can you rent a unit you don't live in on Airbnb?

In most big cities, no: Montreal, Toronto and B.C. communities over 10,000 people limit short-term rentals to the principal residence. Elsewhere it depends on municipal zoning — in Quebec, commercial tourist residences are only allowed in certain areas.

Do you need a registration number to rent on Airbnb in Quebec?

Yes. The CITQ registration number is mandatory and must be shown in the listing; platforms must remove listings without one. In Montreal, you also need a municipal permit, renewed every year.

Sources

Buying a plex or condo to rent?

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