A Burnaby landlord who owns and rents out a single-family house or duplex without living there must buy an annual house rental licence from the City of Burnaby. That sits on top of BC's Residential Tenancy Act, which governs the tenancy itself. Short-term rentals need their own licence and are limited to the owner's principal residence.
Do you need a business licence to rent out property in Burnaby?
Yes, for a residential rental. The City of Burnaby's business licence page says all businesses in Burnaby, including a residential rental and short-term rentals, need a valid licence. For long-term landlords the key rule is the house rental licence: if you own and rent out your single-family house or duplex and do not live on the premises, you must buy one every year (fees are not pro-rated). You apply with the city's house rental licence application or online through a My Property account.
The city also advises calling the building department before applying, because it cannot process a licence while a property has active or open permits, and the application fee is non-refundable.
Getting the house rental licence, step by step
- Check zoning. Burnaby recommends confirming that the activity is permitted at the address under the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw before applying; the city's general line is 604-294-7400.
- Check for open permits. Call the building department at 604-294-7130. An active or open permit on the property stops the application.
- Apply. Email the House Rental Licence Application form to the licensing office, or apply online through a My Property account. A non-refundable application fee applies.
- Pay the first-year fee. Once the licence is approved you pay the first year's licence fee, which varies by business type; the 2026 fee schedule is published with the city's business licence bylaw fees.
- Renew every year. Licences are renewed annually and the city sends a reminder 30 days before the due date. Paying by credit card carries a non-refundable 1.8% convenience fee.
What are Burnaby's short-term rental rules?
A short-term rental in Burnaby needs its own annual business licence, and the city's rules are strict:
- only the operator's principal residence can be listed;
- a strata unit needs the strata council's written permission;
- not permitted in rental units, secondary suites, dwellings containing a secondary suite, accessory buildings and several other uses;
- up to 4 unrelated guests, or 6 people from the same family;
- a maximum of 90 nights per calendar year, of which 28 may be for the whole home.
Burnaby says fines of up to $500 per infraction can apply, escalating for continued non-compliance. The city lists the violations it fines for: operating without a valid licence, operating somewhere that is not the operator's principal residence, failing to provide information to guests, failing to attend, failing to maintain records and failing to post a fire safety plan. Applications must include proof of principal residence and, for a strata unit, the strata's letter of permission.
Burnaby is also on the province's list of communities where the provincial principal residence requirement applies, and hosts must register with the provincial short-term rental registry. More on the provincial rule is in BC's principal residence requirement.
What does Burnaby's Tenant Protection Bylaw require?
It applies when an owner redevelops a privately owned building with five or more purpose-built rental units (or smaller rentals consolidated into such a project). On Burnaby's tenant protection page, the bylaw applies to new redevelopments from July 1, 2026, replacing the Tenant Assistance Policy for applications made after June 30, 2026. Eligible households living there when the Four Month Notice is issued get help finding interim housing, rent top-ups or a lump sum (36 months of top-ups), moving support and the right to return to a unit with the same number of bedrooms at the same rent, plus allowed RTA increases. Burnaby's Rental Conversion Control Policy also bars strata conversion of purpose-built rental buildings.
What the Tenant Protection Bylaw costs an owner
The city's page sets out the figures an owner should budget for:
| Obligation | What Burnaby says |
|---|---|
| Rent top-up, owner-found interim unit | The household keeps paying its current rent; the owner pays the rest of the interim rent |
| Rent top-up, household-found unit | The difference between old and new rent, up to the greater of 15% of current rent or 30% above the neighbourhood median rent for a similar unit minus the rent at move-out |
| Lump sum instead | One payment equal to 36 months of top-up |
| Moving | An insured moving company arranged by the owner, or $900 (studio or one bedroom), $1,200 (two bedrooms) or $1,400 (three or more) |
| Coordination | The owner hires a Tenant Relocation Coordinator as the households' main contact |
Households that moved out before the Four Month Notice, were evicted for cause, or already received Tenant Assistance Policy benefits are not eligible. Sub-tenants without an agreement with the original landlord, and roommates not named on the written tenancy agreement, are covered only if the eligible household transfers its benefits to them. "Purpose-built rental" means a non-stratified multi-unit building, or part of one, held in common ownership and used only for rental, and does not include a dormitory.
Which BC tenancy rules apply to a Burnaby rental?
The same provincial rules as anywhere in BC. Use the standard tenancy agreement (RTB-1), collect no more than half a month's rent as a security deposit (RTA s.19), and raise rent only once every 12 months with three full months' notice, within the annual limit, which is 2.2% for 2027 according to the province.
Three move-in duties trip up new Burnaby landlords most often:
- Give the tenant a copy of the signed agreement within 21 days of entering into it (s.13(3)).
- Do the move-in condition inspection with the tenant on the day they are entitled to possession or another agreed day, offering at least two opportunities, and give them a copy of the signed report (s.23). A landlord who skips it loses the right to claim against the deposit for damage (s.24).
- At the end, repay the deposit or file a claim against it within 15 days of the later of the end of the tenancy and receiving the tenant's forwarding address in writing (s.38).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a house rental licence if I rent out a condo in Burnaby?
The house rental licence is described for a single-family house or duplex you own, rent out and do not live in. The city also says all residential rentals need a valid business licence, so check with Burnaby Licensing (604-294-7320) for a condo.
Can I run a short-term rental in my basement suite in Burnaby?
No. Burnaby does not permit short-term rentals in secondary suites or in a dwelling that contains a secondary suite.
Does Burnaby's tenant protection apply if I end one tenancy for my own use?
No. The Tenant Protection Bylaw is aimed at redevelopment of buildings with five or more purpose-built rental units. A landlord-use notice follows the RTA's own compensation rules.
How big is Burnaby's rental market?
The city says rental units, including houses, duplexes, townhouses, condos and secondary suites, house nearly 40% of Burnaby households, and that its Rental Conversion Control Policy has been in place since 1974.
Where can Burnaby renters get help?
The city runs a Burnaby Renters Office (604-294-7750). Disputes between landlords and tenants go to the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Start your Burnaby tenancy on the right form
Fill in BC's Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTB-1) online.
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