Short-Term Home Rentals

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Short-term rentals provide residential rental accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less.

Short-term rentals may include renting a room in a private home.

Short-Term Rental Types

There are 2 types of short-term residential rental accommodations:

Rental of an entire dwelling
Rental of individual rooms or spaces in a home where the host also lives.

Transactions for short-term residential rental accommodations are usually completed through online platforms such as AirBnB, VRBO, HomeAway, and FlipKey.

Application Process

Business Licence Requirements

A valid home-based Residential Rental Accommodation (Short-Term) business licence is required for each property that is available for short-term home rental.

Apply Online:
APPLY
(select the Home-Based Business licence type)
NOTE: Some condominium or homeowner association bylaws do not allow short-term home rentals. It is the responsibility of the host to check these bylaws before submitting an application.
Payment of the applicable licence fee.
A completed Operational Plan (Guest Management for Short-Term Residential Rental Accommodations)
A development permit for a major home-based business is required if the operator/host resides at the rental premises and is renting out more than two sleeping units. This includes situations where the rental accommodation is a separate basement or backyard housing.
A building permit may be required if there are changes to the physical floor plan of the property to accommodate the short-term residential rental accommodation.
Operators must provide guests with a copy of the Short-Term Residential Rental Accommodation: Information for Guests guide.

Note: The City will notify Alberta Health Services when your licence is issued. Alberta Health Services may follow up with you to ensure compliance with health regulations.

Other Permit Requirements

Hosts who are planning to develop a Secondary Suite or Backyard Housing must also obtain a Development Permit and Building Permit before any construction can take place. A Building Permit is also required for any residential construction inside the home to accommodate a short-term residential rental, such as adding a new bedroom or finishing a basement.

Short Term Residential Rental Application Process Flow Chart

To visualize the business licence application process for residential short-term rentals.

For Neighbours

Short-term residential rentals are becoming more popular. While they offer many benefits to Edmonton, it is also important that hosts and guests are respectful of their neighbours.

Parking

Everyone has the right to park on City-owned streets, even if it’s right in front of your house. Streets are a shared resource that all Edmontonians and guests have access to. Please report vehicles only if there is a parking infraction.

Common parking infractions include:

Parked for 72 hours without moving the vehicle: Any vehicle parked on a public road must be moved every 72 hours or it may be considered an abandoned vehicle and may be towed.
Parked too close to driveway: vehicles must be at least 1.5 meters away from a driveway
Parked too close to intersection, fire hydrant, crosswalk, stop sign and yield sign: vehicles must be at least 5 metres away
Illegal parking on private property: cars can only be parked on an approved parking location such as a driveway or garage, not on any landscaped areas
Illegal parking on boulevard: no parking or vehicle overhang on any portion of a boulevard
Illegal parking on a curb crossing: no parking or vehicle overhang on any square top curbs
Parking during a winter parking ban: For information on winter parking bans and when you will need to move your vehicle, please visit the City’s seasonal parking bans webpage
Parking in a Residential Parking Program area: if the short-term residential rental property is located within a Residential Parking Program area, accommodations for parking must be provided on the property.

Waste Disposal

Blue bags, food scraps carts and/or garbage carts must be set out for collection by 7am on waste collection day. If you have a concern about the garbage storage of a neighbouring short term rental property, please call 311.

Maintenance

It is the responsibility of every property owner to keep their property in good repair, including those operating short-term residential rentals. Visit Nuisance Conditions for information on common nuisance conditions (such as long grass and loose litter) and how to report concerns.

Noise

The Community Standards Bylaw regulates noise in the community that results in the disturbance of the peace of another individual.

Everyone has the right to not be disturbed by noise. Residential noise is not permitted from 10pm to 7am, 7 days a week.

Visit the City’s noise page for more information on how to report nuisance neighbourhood noise disturbances like excessive dog barking or other noises. The Edmonton Police Service, at 780-423-4567, enforces noise from loud people or parties and vehicles (like stunting, honking, or stereos).

Filing a Complaint

If you have a concern about a short term rental property, please call 311 or file a complaint online.

For Hosts

Hosting a short-term residential rental accommodation can offer benefits, but it comes with a certain level of commitment and responsibility. Ensure your guests are properly informed of all applicable bylaws.

Licences and Permits

A business licence for each short-term residential rental property is required regardless of whether the operator/host resides at the premises or not. A valid business licence number must be included on any advertisement for the property.

A Building Permit may be required if there are changes to the physical floor plan of the property.

Apply Online:
APPLY
(select the Home-Based Business licence type)
NOTE: Some condominium or homeowner association bylaws do not allow short-term home rentals. It is the responsibility of the host to check these bylaws before submitting an application.

Information for Hosts: A Guide to What Short-Term Residential Rental Hosts Need to Know

Parking

Your guests have the same access to parking on public streets as neighbourhood residents. Please inform your guests of any parking restrictions on your street and remind them to watch out for common parking infractions , such as:

Parked for 72 hours without moving the vehicle: Any vehicle parked on a public road must be moved at least once every 72 hours or it may be considered an abandoned vehicle and may be towed.
Parked too close to driveway: vehicles must be at least 1.5 metres away from a driveway
Parked too close to intersection, fire hydrant, crosswalk, stop sign and yield sign: vehicles must be at least 5 metres away
Illegal parking on private property: cars can only be parked on an approved parking location such as a driveway or garage, not on any landscaped areas
Illegal parking on boulevard: no parking or vehicle overhang on any portion of a boulevard
Illegal parking on a curb crossing: no parking or vehicle overhang on any square top curbs
Parking during a winter parking ban: For information on winter parking bans and when you will need to move your vehicle, please visit the City’s seasonal parking bans webpage
Parking in a Residential Parking Program area: if the short-term residential rental property is located within a Residential Parking Program area, accommodations for parking must be provided on the property.

Waste Pickup

Please inform your guests of the waste collection process and procedures, including that blue bags, food scraps carts and/or garbage carts must be set out for collection by 7am on waste collection day. It is your responsibility to ensure that waste is properly disposed of, and that waste carts and bags are not set out on non-collection days.

Maintenance

It is the responsibility of every property owner to keep their property in good repair, including those operating short-term residential rentals. Please ensure that you and your guests keep the property free from nuisance conditions.

Noise

The Community Standards Bylaw regulates noise in the community that results in the disturbance of the peace of another individual. Everyone has the right to not be disturbed by noise.

Remind your guests to be respectful neighbours. Residential noise is not permitted from 10pm to 7am, 7 days a week.

See section 15 of the Community Standards Bylaw for more information on the criteria used to determine if a sound is reasonably likely to disturb the peace of others. Owners that permit or cause noise that is found to disturb the peace of another individual are subject to a $250 fine under the Community Standards Bylaw.

Noise complaints related to loud guests and/or parties will be reported to the Edmonton Police Services non-emergency complaint line.

Host Responsibilities

As a short-term residential rental host, you have the following responsibilities:

You must provide guests with a copy of the Short-Term Residential Rental Accommodation: Information for Guests guide
You must ensure your telephone number is posted in the rental property at all times
You must not allow your property to be used by guests to operate a business, unless the guest has a valid business licence authorizing the business activity
If you live in the same residence, you may only rent up to 2 sleeping units, each of which can be occupied by a maximum of 2 persons. To rent more than 2 sleeping units you must apply for a Major Home-Based Business Development Permit prior to the issuance of your business licence.
See the Information for Hosts: A Guide to What Short-Term Residential Rental Hosts Need to Know for more information.

Tips for Hosts

Provide clear instructions and information upfront so your guests know what to expect when they arrive.
Greet your guests in person when they check in, and follow up with them during their stay.
Establish house rules and be sure that your guests know to follow them. Rules that reduce noise and disruptions at night, for example, quiet time or no late-night check-ins, can help you to avoid noise complaints from neighbours.
Respond to your guests’ inquiries in a timely manner to avoid any situations that may affect the neighbourhood or lead to complaints.
Ensure that the rental premises are safe and comply with building and fire codes. Ensure that fire exits are clearly marked, and consider having a fire extinguisher on the premises.
See the Information for Information for Hosts: A Guide to What Short-Term Residential Rental Hosts Need to Know for more information.

For Guests

Here are some quick tips to make the most out of your stay in Edmonton.

The Short-Term Residential Rental Accommodation: Information for Guests guide contains information on the City of Edmonton’s bylaws that are relevant to guests staying in short-term residential rental accommodations. Hosts are required to provide this guide to their guests when guests check in.

There are a number of rules you must follow if you are staying in a short-term residential rental accommodation. If you do not follow these rules, you or your host may receive a fine.

Parking

Guests have the same access to parking on public streets as neighbourhood residents. Be sure to read the street signs as some streets limit where and when you can park or may require that you pay for parking.

Please also watch out for common parking infractions , such as:

Parked for 72 hours without moving the vehicle: Any vehicle parked on a public road must be moved at least once every 72 hours or it may be considered an abandoned vehicle and may be towed.
Parked too close to driveway: vehicles must be at least 1.5 metres away from a driveway
Parked too close to intersection, fire hydrant, crosswalk, stop sign and yield sign: vehicles must be at least 5 metres away
Illegal parking on private property: cars can only be parked on an approved parking location such as a driveway or garage, not on any landscaped areas
Illegal parking on boulevard: no parking or vehicle overhang on any portion of a boulevard
Illegal parking on a curb crossing: no parking or vehicle overhang on any square top curbs
Parking during a winter parking ban: For information on winter parking bans and when you will need to move your vehicle, please visit the City’s seasonal parking bans webpage
Parking in a Residential Parking Program area: if the short-term residential rental property is located within a Residential Parking Program area, accommodations for parking must be provided on the property.

Visit Parking for more information.

Waste Pickup and Recycling

Your host may require that you dispose of your own garbage, recycling and food scraps. Please make sure you know how to properly store and dispose of these materials. Use the WasteWise tool online for help sorting your waste.

In general:
- Recyclable items like clean paper, cardboard, tin cans, and glass or plastic jars and bottles should be placed in a blue bag.
- Food scraps should be removed from packaging and placed in the green food scraps cart.
- Residual garbage (after food scraps and recyclables have been sorted out) should be placed in the black garbage cart.
Set out carts and blue bags by 7am on the collection day, otherwise they may not be collected. Do not set out waste carts and bags on non-collection days.
Ensure carts are at least 1 metre away from other carts, bags or other objects.

Visit Garbage and Recycling for more information.

Household hazardous waste and bulky items should be taken to an Eco Station or to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre for proper disposal.

Noise

Everyone has the right to not be disturbed by noise. Please be respectful of your neighbours.

You must not make excessive noise that disturbs the neighbours, especially between the hours of 10pm and 7am.
- Excessive noise is considered anything above a normal conversation level of sound.
- Examples of excessive noise include:
  - Shouting, yelling, or loud conversations
  - Amplified music
  - Vehicle noise (stunting, engine or exhaust noise, horn)
- See section 15 of the Community Standards Bylaw for more information on the criteria used to determine if a sound is reasonably likely to disturb the peace of others.

Any noise complaint from people or vehicles such as loud music, parties, stunting, honking, or stereos, will be reported to Edmonton Police Service non-emergency complaint line.

Tips for Guests

Be respectful of your neighbours:
- Avoid making noise that will disturb others, for example, shouting or playing loud music. Residential noise is not permitted from 10pm to 7am, 7 days a week.
  (Community Standards Bylaw)
- Avoid smoking tobacco or cannabis near your neighbours’ doors and open windows. Excessive odours that are reasonably likely to disturb others are not permitted as outlined in the Community Standards Bylaw.
Be mindful of other habits that may disturb others.
Respect public spaces like sidewalks, parks, and trails. Follow posted rules, keep your pets under control, and do not litter.
Your host may have additional rules. Ask your host about these rules and always follow them.

Contact Us

Edmonton Service Centre

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca