Province won’t relax rules for World Cup visitors
B.C. Housing Minister Christine Boyle says the provincial government will not create a temporary exception to short-term rental regulations for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Even though some tourism groups and hosts asked for flexibility because of a possible accommodation shortfall during the games, the minister confirmed that rules limiting short-term rentals will stay in place throughout the event.
People can still rent out their principal residence legally if they choose, but there won’t be a broader reprieve for other properties just for the duration of the World Cup.
High vacancy in Kelowna opens door for future talks
The government’s position differs in Kelowna, where rental vacancy rates have climbed well above three per cent for two consecutive years. That high vacancy level triggers eligibility under provincial policy for a possible exemption from short-term rental rules, a process not yet defined because no municipality has gone through it before.
Kelowna city council voted in early November to pursue an exemption that could be in place by next summer, and Boyle said she expects to start discussions with local officials in the new year about how that process might work.
She emphasized that the goal is to strike the right balance between supporting housing availability for locals and accommodating short-term visitors to the community, especially with Kelowna’s vacancy rate significantly above the provincial average.
What the vacancy data shows
The latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation report showed that Kelowna’s October vacancy rate hit about 6.4 per cent, a sharp rise from previous years and far above many other markets in the province. That sustained increase is what opens the door for a municipal exemption request under provincial policy.
Local leaders hope that the exemption, if approved, could give Kelowna more flexibility in how short-term rentals are regulated, but any change would need careful planning and still won’t apply to the FIFA World Cup period.
Broader housing context
Some municipal leaders and tourism advocates have called for wider changes to housing policy and short-term rental limits outside Kelowna, especially in areas facing visitor demand from major events and tourism seasons. However, the province has so far stood by its regulatory framework, aiming to protect long-term rental supply while still allowing hosts to rent their primary homes at times.
Talks between Kelowna officials and provincial representatives are expected soon to explore what an exemption process would look like in practice.
Stay updated instantly — follow us on Instagram | Facebook | X
