Short-Term Rental Fees Update
The City of Fernie has updated its Short-Term Rental (STR) Business licence fees to better reflect the time and resources needed to manage and enforce STR rules.
At the August 26, 2025, Regular Council meeting, Council adopted Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028, Amendment Bylaw No. 2529, 2025. The bylaw amendment increases the annual business licence fee for short-term rentals to $500 for a primary residence and $700 for a condo/hotel.
Fernie’s STR license fee was previously $100/year, no matter the type of STR. It hadn't changed since STR regulations were first adopted in 2017—even as the demands on staff and enforcement have grown.
The fee increase will help support STR enforcement, offset City staff time for reviewing applications, verifying compliance, and responding to community concerns, and ensure fairness by shifting enforcement costs from general taxpayers to STR operators, who benefit from the use of their properties as tourist accommodations.
What’s the Difference Between STR Types?
There are two types of STR Business Licenses in Fernie, each with different impacts and levels of oversight:
Type | Definition | Examples |
Condo/Hotel STR | Located in specially zoned developments intended for short-term stays. | Silver Rock, parts of Pinnacle Ridge |
Primary Residence STR | A portion of the home where the owner lives full-time. Must be the owner’s legal principal residence. | Owner-occupied houses |
Note: STRs are not allowed in carriage houses, garage suites, secondary suites, or garden homes.
Why Now?
Fernie’s STR fees were well below what similar communities charge.
Public feedback since 2017 has supported stronger STR regulation and enforcement.
STR activity has grown and so have complaints about unlicensed rentals.
- These changes help us keep STRs fair, safe, and compliant, without asking general taxpayers to cover the cost.
Feedback Opportunity - CLOSED
We are looking for feedback on the proposed changes. Letters have been mailed to all current STR Business Licence holders. To provide feedback on the proposed changes please email cityhall@fernie.ca. The bylaw, and any feedback received, will come back to Council for consideration at the August 12 Regular Council Meeting.
