My Most Commonly Asked Question as a Canmore REALTOR®
Can I Rent My Canmore Property Out as an Airbnb?
It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often.
The short answer is: not necessarily.
If you're buying a Canmore property with the idea of using it as an Airbnb or short-term rental, there are some important things to know before you buy.
It comes down to how the property can legally be used.
Canmore has specific rules around short-term rentals, and a regular residential dwelling cannot be used as a short-term vacation rental.
The Town's Land Use Bylaw distinguishes between Residential Dwelling Units, Tourist Homes and Visitor Accommodation, and each has different rules.
A regular residential dwelling cannot simply be advertised on Airbnb or another short-term rental site. The property must have the appropriate legal land use and approvals.
What is a Tourist Home?
A Tourist Home is a specific use under Canmore's Land Use Bylaw. Existing Tourist Homes can be used for short-term vacation rentals, long-term rentals or as a residence, subject to the applicable rules. A development permit and business licence are required to operate one as a short-term rental.
There was also an important change to the rules in 2025.
Effective March 11, 2025, the Land Use Bylaw was amended to eliminate Tourist Homes as a permitted use in a number of land use districts. Existing Tourist Homes can continue as non-conforming uses, subject to the applicable rules.
That's why understanding the existing legal status of a property is so important.
What about Visitor Accommodation?
Visitor Accommodation is a different category and is intended for short-term stays of up to 30 days. It is only permitted in specific areas and requires the appropriate development permit and business licence.
So if a property is being marketed as a short-term rental or investment opportunity, don't just look at the listing — find out exactly what use is legally permitted.
And don't rely solely on how the property has been used in the past. A property may have been rented short-term previously, but that doesn't necessarily tell you what the current legal use or approvals are.
And then there are the taxes.
This is another piece buyers sometimes overlook.
Tourist Homes are a residential subclass for assessment purposes, but they have a higher tax rate than standard residential properties. Visitor Accommodation is classified as non-residential.
There can also be GST considerations when purchasing a property intended for taxable short-term rentals. Depending on the circumstances, a buyer may be able to account for GST directly with the CRA and potentially claim an Input Tax Credit. This is something to discuss with your accountant before you purchase.
Before you make an offer, ask:
Is short-term rental use legally permitted?
What is the property's current zoning?
Is it an existing Tourist Home or Visitor Accommodation?
Are the required permits and business licence in place?
What are the tax implications?
Could GST apply?
Are there condominium or building rules that restrict short-term rentals?
These are questions you want answered before you make an offer — not after you own the property.
The bottom line
If Airbnb or short-term rental income is part of your plan for buying in Canmore, don't assume every property gives you that option.
The zoning, legal use, permits, licensing and tax implications all matter.
Before you fall in love with the property, make sure you know exactly what you can and can't do with it.
That's where having someone who knows Canmore and understands the questions to ask can be valuable.
Thinking about buying a Canmore property? I'd be happy to help you look beyond the listing and understand the details that matter before you make an offer.
This blog post is intended as general information only and is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Rules can change, so the specific status of a property should always be verified before purchasing.