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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

The business model for short-term rentals is usually one of 2 types:

  1. Rental of an entire dwelling
  2. Rental of an individual room or space in a home where the host lives.

In many cases, short-term rentals are listed on multiple websites and operated by the property owner or a tenant. 

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

  • Apply Online:  APPLY
  • Payment of the applicable $94 licence fee.
  • 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.
  • A building permit may be required if there are changes to the physical floor plan of the property.
  • Provide guests with a copy of the Short-Term Residential Rental Accommodation: Information for Guests guide
  • 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.

 

You may require additional permits such as a Secondary or Garden Suites.

Hosts who are planning to develop a Secondary Suite or Garden Suite 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 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 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.

Common parking infractions include:

  • Parked for 72 hours without moving the vehicle
  • 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 meters 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

Please report vehicles only if there is a parking infraction.

Waste Disposal

Garbage and blue bags must be out by 7am on your waste disposal day.  

If you have a concern about garbage storage, please call 311.

Maintenance

Keeping property in good repair is the responsibility of every property owner. Common nuisance conditions include:

  • Grass longer than 10cm
  • Garbage and loose litter

The City's nuisance conditions web page has more information.

Noise

Construction Noise

The Community Standards Bylaw regulates noise in the community. Noise is sound that disturbs your peace, comfort, or rest, or affects the safety or health of citizens.

Noise from construction work is only permitted:

  • Monday through Saturday: 7am-9pm
  • Sunday and Holidays: 9am-7pm

Neighbour Noise

The Edmonton Police Service, at 780-423-4567, enforces noise from people or vehicles such as 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 offers rich experiences, 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 a short-term rental property is required regardless if 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.

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

Parking

Guests have the same access to parking on public streets as neighbourhood residents.

Any vehicle can park in a residential area as long as it moves every 72 hours and obeys all traffic signage.

Waste Pickup

Please inform your guests of their waste collection day. Garbage and blue bags must be out by 7am.

If your guest is leaving your property and it is NOT your collection day, please make arrangements with your guest to have the garbage properly disposed of.

Maintenance

Keeping property in good repair is the responsibility of every property owner.  

Common nuisance conditions include:

  • Grass longer than 10cm
  • Garbage and loose litter

The City's nuisance conditions web page has more information.

Noise

Please remind your guests to be mindful of your neighbours by keeping excessive noise to a minimum.

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

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 escalations that may affect the neighbourhood.
  • 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.
     

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. 

  • Do not park your vehicle in one location on a public road for more than 72 hours at a time. 
  • Watch for street signs.  Some streets limit where and when you can park, or require that you pay for parking.
  • Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and towed. 
  • Visit edmonton.ca/parking for more information. 

Waste Pickup

Your host may require that you bag or dispose of your own garbage and recycling. Please make sure you know how to properly store and dispose of these materials.

Visit our garbage and recycling collection page for more information.

  • Place recyclable items such as paper, cardboard, tin cans, and glass or plastic jars and bottles in a blue bag or blue bin
  • Place items that cannot be recycled in a garbage bag or brown bin
  • All bags must weigh 20kg (44 pounds) or less
  • Do not set garbage or blue bags out for collection before 4pm on the day before the collection day
  • Set garbage and blue bags at the curb by 7am on the collection day, otherwise they may not be collected
  • Remove garbage containers from the curb by noon on the day after the collection day
  • Any sharp objects must be placed in a box labelled ‘sharp.’ 
  • Visit edmonton.ca/waste 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.

Recycling

Please separate your garbage from your recycling.

Garbage includes:

  • Food waste
  • Smaller worn-out household items and yard waste

Please put your recyclable items in your blue bag. These include:

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Tin cans
  • Glass
  • Plastic jars and bottles

Noise

Please be respectful of your neighbours by keeping excessive noise to a minimum.

  • You must not make noise that disturbs your neighbours, especially after 10 pm. Examples include:
    • Shouting, yelling, or loud conversations
    • Amplified music
    • Vehicle noise (stunting, engine or exhaust noise, horn)
  • Sound must not exceed 65 dB(A) between 7am and 10pm, and 50 dB(A) before 7am or after 10pm. For reference, 65 dB(A) is around normal conversation level sound.

Any noise complaint from people or vehicles such as stunting, honking, or stereos, goes to Edmonton Police Service. 

Tips for Guests

  • Be respectful of your neighbours:
    • Avoid making noise that will disturb others, for example, shouting or playing loud music.  
    • Avoid smoking tobacco or cannabis near your neighbours’ doors and open windows.
  • 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.

Related Documents

Alberta Health Services: Rental Housing and Health in Alberta

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

2nd Floor, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB  T5J 0J4

Telephone

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

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