Short-Term Rentals

On February 21, 2023, Regional Council approved amendments to municipal plans and land use by-laws to establish consistent region-wide policies and regulations for short-term rentals (STRs).

As of Friday, September 1, 2023, new land-use by-law regulations will come into effect. Beginning on this date, all STRs will need to comply with the new regulations. Previously, there were no consistent land-use by-law regulations in place for STRs and in most areas were not explicitly permitted.

The amendments clarify where commercial STRs are permitted, and where STRs must be located within the primary residence of the host.

STRs are temporary overnight accommodations rented out by property owners or tenants, typically for a few nights or weeks. The prevalence of STRs has grown over the last few years, primarily through online platforms such as AirBnb and VRBO.

NEW Short-term rental regulations in effect as of September 1, 2023

Definitions                                                                                                                                          

Short-term rental – a dwelling unit, or part thereof, that is used mainly for the reception of the travelling or vacationing public and is provided as temporary accommodation for compensation.

Short-term bedroom rental – a short-term rental where individual bedrooms within a dwelling unit are rented to separate parties or groups with or without meals.

Regulations                                                                                                                                        

Short-term rental in residential zones

• Entire home STRs are only permitted in residential zones where it is located within the primary residence (dwelling unit) of the host
• This allows residents to offer their own homes as a STR when they are away
• Your primary residence does not include a second unit (such as a backyard suite) on the same property where you normally live

Short-term rental in commercial zones

• Zones that permit tourist accommodations such as hotels or motels also permit STRs
• Where tourist accommodations are permitted, commercial STRs do not need to be located in a primary residence

Short-term bedroom rentals

• Short-term bedroom rentals are permitted in both residential zones and zones that allow commercial STRs (this has replaced the former provisions for bed and breakfasts)
• In residential zones, the host must be the primary resident and must be on site while STR rooms are occupied
• Consistent with existing regulations for bed and breakfasts, short-term bedroom rentals will limit the number of bedrooms that can be offered at the same time (typically most residential zones will include a limit of three bedrooms that can be rented, some plan areas allow larger scale short-term bedroom rentals)

Permit Requirements                                                                                                                   

If you plan to operate a commercial short-term rental or a short-term bedroom rental you are required to obtain a development permit.

If your STR is located in your primary residence, you do not need a permit, but we recommend confirming with the municipality that the requirements for a primary residence are met. Please contact 311 and ask to speak to a planner.

Other Regulations for Tourist Accommodations

Other land use by-law regulations that apply to tourist accommodations may also apply to short-term rentals. Hotels, motels, inns and commercial/tourist accommodations uses allow commercial short-term rentals, without a primary residence requirement.

Check your zone and its permitted uses or contact 311 to speak with a planner to understand what is already permitted on your property.

Discretionary Applications

In some cases, a short-term rental may be permitted through a discretionary planning application. Policies that would enable this kind of application can be found in the Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy for your Plan Area.

Flexibility in Rural Areas

In some rural parts of the municipality, tourist accommodations are already permitted for many properties. In eastern regions of the municipality, this is due to permissive mixed-use zoning; in western regions there is an existing provision in some land use by-laws that allows one commercial tourist accommodation per property. These flexible provisions continue to apply but may require a permit. Residents are asked to speak with a planner by contacting 311 to confirm.

As well, Regional Council has directed staff to explore approaches to tourist accommodations in rural parts of the municipality that are outside of the urban service area boundary

Short-Term Rental Operators Checklist

If you wish to operate a short-term rental (STR) in the Halifax region, this checklist outlines the steps:

1. Determine if your STR operation meets the regulations by:
   • Reviewing the information on this page (halifax.ca/shorttermrentals)
   • Reading the land use by-law for your area and the zone permissions for your land parcel with our interactive ExploreHRM mapping tool
   • Contacting a planner to confirm the requirement by contacting 311
2. Apply for a permit if necessary
3. Receive approved permit if necessary
4. Register once with the municipality’s Residential Rental Registry
5. Register annually with the Province of Nova Scotia’s Tourist Accommodations Registry
6. Begin offering short-term rental accommodations

Are short-term rentals permitted in my neighbourhood?

The short-term rentals (STRs) regulations reflect the following principles:

1. Within residential zones/neighbourhoods, STRs are only permitted in a host’s primary residence.
2. Within zones/neighbourhoods where hotels or other types of tourist accommodations were already permitted, commercial STRs are allowed.

Residents can determine what is allowed in their neighbourhood by determining the parcel/area/zone they have questions about with our interactive ExploreHRM mapping tool. The mapping tool will link to the associated Plan Area or land use by-law where you can find what is permitted in the zone.

Similar uses or discretionary approvals may also permit STRs in different parts of the region. Residents can find out more information by contacting 311 and asking to speak with a planner.

How can I submit a short-term rental complaint?

If you would like to submit an inquiry or complaint about a STR please contact 311 to speak with a planner or our land use by-law compliance team.

Land use inquiries and complaints can also be submitted digitally through the Planning & Development department’s Online Permitting, Planning, Licensing & Compliance portal.

Frequently Asked Questions