A British Columbia campground operator has received confirmation that their cabin rentals are exempt from registration under the province’s Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act, marking a significant clarification for other operators across the region.
The issue stemmed from earlier confusion surrounding whether campground cabins—especially those listed on platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com—were required to register under the act.
The British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) raised the concern with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, which in turn consulted the Ministry of Housing’s Registrar for guidance.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the registrar ruled that campground cabins, even those equipped with full plumbing, wiring, and kitchens, fall under a hotel/motel exemption if they are part of a legally designated campground operating similarly to a hotel.
This includes conditions such as single ownership, consistent branding, and commercial zoning.
Operators seeking clarity or reimbursement may now submit refund requests directly to the province’s short-term rental branch.
One BCLCA member operating in the Kootenay region who had previously registered their units requested a review and refund.
Following adjudication, the registrar confirmed the units qualified for exemption and approved reimbursement for four registrations.
“We have completed our review of your request, and we are pleased to inform you that the registrar has determined that the rental units are exempt from registration. The registrar has approved refunds for four registrations,” the announcement indicates.
The association is urging other campground owners who registered and paid fees to take similar action.
BCLCA recommends operators submit refund requests via email to [email protected], noting that assessments may take over 30 days to process.
To comply with the exemption status, operators must now update their online listings across all platforms. This includes claiming the appropriate exemption category and notifying customer support teams at Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO that their properties meet the hotel/motel exemption criteria.