The Province of British Columbia says a one-time regulation exempted Kelowna from the provincial short-term-rental principal-residence requirement effective June 1, 2026. The provincial release says Kelowna hosts no longer need to meet that particular requirement when applying for provincial short-term-rental registration after that date. This is a dated Kelowna exception, not a province-wide change or a standing exemption for later years.
The exception removes only the specified provincial principal-residence condition. B.C. says local restrictions continue to apply. It also does not establish that an ADU or secondary suite is a lawful dwelling, has the required permits, is eligible for registration, or may be rented under Kelowna rules. Unit status, strata or title terms, building approval, and other local conditions remain separate.
Verify the registration date and local rules
For a proposed or active short-term rental, confirm the relevant registration date and current provincial requirements, then check Kelowna’s current bylaws, licensing, and land-use rules. Review the unit’s planning, building, and occupancy records and any strata or title documents. Do not extend the 2026 exception to another municipality or a later period without current official confirmation.
The provincial announcement summarizes the opt-out and its effective date; it is not a decision about a particular address. Short-term-rental permission also does not establish permission for ordinary tenancy or safe, lawful occupancy.