There are approximately 100 short term rentals, collectively earning between $1 million and $1.5 million* a year, on Cortes Island. At of the end of 2021, there were 177 on Quadra.  As of May 1st, all  Airbnbs and short-term rentals in BC have to register with the provincial government.

 “It’s a process where the provincial government is asking short term rental operators and short term rental platform operators to register. Then they’re going to cross reference  and use that as a way to regulate Airbnbs,” explained Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island (Area B).

Cortes Currents: Is there a cost? 

Mark Vonesch:  “I think it’s $100 if your Airbnb is in  your home and  you get 50% off if you register by February 28th.  There’s incentive to do it quickly.” 

Cortes Currents: Are there any exceptions?

Mark Vonesch: “ Anyone can offer a short term rental to their friends and family and not have to register. If you’ve got a family home on Cortes, for example, and  you rent a few weeks to your friends and family.”

“This is only a registry for people who are publicly advertising their short term rentals. If you are operating a short term rental where you’re advertising through public newsletters, newspapers, social media,  Airbnb, VRBO, Booking. com, those kind of things. If you’re advertising your short term rental publicly, then you need to register.” 

 Cortes Currents: What happens if you don’t? 

Mark Vonesch: “ If you don’t, then what will happen is Airbnb or whatever sites you’re using to advertise will pull your listing. You won’t be able to use the platforms.” 

“ If people check out  the link that you’ve included  in this story, there’s tons of details there and lots of fine print of how things apply and who it applies to and the processes. 

According to the provincial website, from June 1, 2025, and going forward, platforms must stop advertising any short-term rentals that do not have a valid registration number, prevent any new bookings, and cancel any existing bookings. Operating without a valid registration number may also result in monetary penalties.

Mark Vonesch: “ I just want to make it clear that Airbnbs are great. Short term rentals  are an awesome way  for people on Cortes  to make some supplementary income  and to be able to support  them living here.   I think we have a hundred Airbnbs on the island, that bring in anywhere between $1 million and $1.5 million* worth of revenue .  It’s an important source of income for a lot of people and I encourage people  to get a short term rental and to do Airbnb.”

“At the same time the reason why  there was popular support for opting into the primary residence requirement is that we don’t want Cortes  to be sold off to folks to turn properties into Airbnb businesses when they don’t live here. I’ve heard lots of stories already of places being opened up to the market  and rentals being provided.” 

“So this is a way to sort of just protect the rental housing that we have on Cortes and to close the door on speculation in the housing market, and people buying homes and turning them into businesses.”

Links of Interest:

• Short Term Rentals Registration – BC Government
• BC Government approves 3% tax on Cortes Island short term rentals(May 18, 2023)
• Articles about, or mentioning, Short Term Rentals on Cortes Island
• Articles about, or mentioning, Short Term Rentals on Quadra Island

Top image credit: Sandcastle contest at Smelt Bau, Cortes Island – Roy L Hales photo

*Correction: In the original version of this story it stated Cortes Island’s short term rentals collectively earn between $1 million and $5 million a year. That should have been $1 million and $1.5 million.

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