In Abbotsford, you can almost tell the season by what neighbours are chatting about. This year, it isn't hockey or berry harvest—it's short-term rentals. Many homeowners who've quietly rented a suite over the garage or a basement room for extra income are now trading stories about registration numbers, safety checklists, and parking plans. The province's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (STRAA) and Abbotsford's updated bylaws have turned what used to be a casual side-gig into something that feels a little like running a business. Still, if you take it one step at a time, it's manageable—and locals are figuring it out together.

BC Short-Term Rental Regulations: The New Landscape for Homeowners

The STRAA changed how short-term rentals operate across B.C. Starting May 1, 2025, every host must register their listing through the provincial Short-Term Rental Registry. The idea is to verify who's renting and where, separating part-time homeowners from full-time investors. It's a fair goal, though it's added some new paperwork to the mix.

Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO will begin enforcement in phases: from June 2, 2025, listings without a valid registration number must stop being advertised; and by June 23, 2025, unregistered listings will be removed or cancelled. Around town, hosts are comparing notes on processing times and "why my address was rejected" stories—it's one part bureaucracy, one part community memo board.

How the Provincial Registry Works and Abbotsford STR Fees 2025

Registration is done online and takes about twenty minutes if your documents are ready. Here are the numbers for 2025: the annual fee is $100 if you live on-site, $450 if you don't live there, or $600 for a strata-hotel arrangement. Early bird discounts apply—50% off if you register by February 28, and 25% off by March 31. One local host on McMillan Road said her first submission bounced back because her civic address didn't match BC Assessment—"one missing hyphen cost me three weeks."

For most Abbotsford homeowners, the key is simple: register, pay, display your number, and keep receipts. Platforms will refuse ads without those numbers, so your compliance checklist starts here.

Principal Residence + One Suite: What It Means in Abbotsford

The law now says you can rent your principal residence—the home where you live most of the year—and one secondary suite or accessory unit on the same lot. For example, you might live in the main house and rent the basement suite, or a coach house behind the home—but not both.

That rule may sound limiting, but for many Abbotsford homeowners, it fits: homes in Sandy Hill, McMillan, or Matsqui already follow this model. If your basement suite is legal, registered, and up to code, the new rules add structure more than restriction.

Abbotsford Business Licence Timeline and Local Requirements

For hosts in Abbotsford, getting the city business licence is the next major step. Licences renew annually on July 1 each year. You'll submit a fire-safety plan, show a parking layout with at least one guest off-street stall, and confirm that the home is your principal residence. Your city licence number plus your provincial registration number must appear in every listing.

The city's Operator's Manual explains it all, but the short version is: allow some time, ask early, and be transparent. Bylaw officers here often say they'd rather help hosts comply than penalise outright—if you begin with intention, you'll save headaches later.

Zoning, Neighbouring Cities, and Where Your STR Is Actually Allowed

In Abbotsford, short-term rentals are allowed in single-detached or duplex homes where the owner lives on site. A garden suite or coach house can qualify too if it's legal and meets parking and setback standards. Apartments and townhouses are more restricted. Check the city's zoning map or planning desk before you invest in upgrades.

For comparison: in neighbouring Langley, detached-suite STRs are more tightly regulated or prohibited in many zones, while Chilliwack focuses more on mid-term rentals than nightly stays. That gives Abbotsford a slight edge—so long as hosts stay within the rules.

Condo, Townhome, Strata Bylaws, and Common Mistakes

Even if you tick all the provincial and city boxes, your strata corporation can still stop you. Many condo buildings in Abbotsford—especially around McCallum Road or along Gladwin Road—have short-term rental bans or strict rules. Stratas can fine up to $1,000 per day for violations. Always check meeting minutes and bylaws before you purchase or list.

Guest Limits, Fire-Safety Expectations, and Compliance Requirements

Occupancy caps in Abbotsford are clear: in urban zones, up to 6 guests and 3 bedrooms; in rural or agricultural areas, up to 8 guests and 4 bedrooms. You must provide at least one additional off-street parking stall, working smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, and a visible fire extinguisher. Many older homes weren't built for constant guest turnover, so these checks keep everyone safe. One host out on Sumas Prairie learned the hard way when her "extra stall" was a patch of gravel touching the road—close, but not compliant.

Understanding Taxes, Insurance, and the BC Short-Term Rental Compliance Checklist

Short-term rental income is taxable like any other business. Expect to handle PST (8%), GST (5%), and sometimes the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). Platforms might handle portions of these, but it's your responsibility to make sure the rest is filed. For insurance, the city expects at least $2 million liability coverage and notice to your insurer that you're hosting. Skip it, and even a burnt toaster could void your claim.

The Bigger Picture for Abbotsford Hosts

These changes stem from one main goal: easing B.C.'s housing shortage while allowing homeowners to share space responsibly. It's turned many locals into part-time policy experts, but Abbotsford has adjusted with its usual mix of practicality and patience. Once your paperwork is done, hosting still feels familiar—welcoming travellers to the valley, recommending a hike up Sumas Mountain, or sending guests home with a box of berries from a roadside stand. The regulations may be new, but the neighbourly spirit behind hosting here hasn't changed a bit.

Information Sources: Provincial regulations from BC Government Short-Term Rentals, City of Abbotsford STR bylaws and business licensing requirements. Information current as of October 2025. Regulations subject to change—always verify current requirements with official sources.