Condo bylaws in BC: pets, rentals and short-term rentals
The rules that decide how you can live in, or rent out, a strata unit. Rental restrictions have changed, so older advice may be out of date.
5 min read · updated 2026-09-29 · sources at the end
Read the bylaws that are actually in force
Bylaws are amended at general meetings and the amendments are filed with the Land Title Office. Ask for the full current bylaws and rules, plus any amendments approved since, and check them against the minutes. A listing's checkbox for pets or rentals is a starting point, not the rule.
Long-term rentals
Since November 24, 2022, BC strata corporations can no longer limit how many units may be rented or for how long. Rental-restriction bylaws that capped rentals are no longer available to stratas, so an older bylaw or an old listing that says rentals are limited may no longer apply. Confirm with your lawyer or the strata if it matters to your plans.
Landlords still have duties. The tenant must be given the bylaws, and a signed Form K, the notice of tenant's responsibilities, has to reach the strata corporation within 2 weeks of the tenancy starting.
Short-term rentals
The 2022 change did not remove a strata's ability to restrict or ban short-term rentals such as nightly or weekly stays. Many buildings have a bylaw that does. Separate municipal and provincial short-term rental rules also apply, so a strata that allows it does not mean the city does. If you are buying to host guests, check both.
Pets, age limits and other lifestyle rules
- Pet bylaws vary widely: some ban pets, some limit number, size or type, some allow existing pets only. Read the wording and ask how it is enforced.
- Some buildings are age-restricted, for example to residents over a stated age. These restrictions must follow the Strata Property Act, and they affect who you can sell to later.
- Rules on flooring, balcony use, moving times, smoking and parking often surprise new owners. They are in the bylaws and rules, so read them before subjects come off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still find a building with rental restrictions?
Bylaws capping rentals were removed by law in 2022, so you should not rely on any bylaw or listing that says otherwise. You can still see bylaws about short-term rentals.
Do I need to give my tenant the bylaws?
Yes. Give the tenant the bylaws and rules, have them sign Form K, and send a copy to the strata within 2 weeks of the tenancy starting.
Can a strata make me get rid of my pet?
It depends on the bylaw's wording and the pet. Read the bylaw, and if you have an existing pet, ask a lawyer how it applies before you buy.
Sources
- Province of BC: landlords and strata corporations
- Province of BC: paperwork for strata buyers and sellers
General information for British Columbia, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change: confirm current requirements with the sources above and your own lawyer, accountant or mortgage broker before you buy.