Summer-Ready: Kelowna’s Short Term Rentals Return for 2026 Tourist Season

“Smooth Sailing” say local operators who give the city of Kelowna and the Provincial Government collaboration rave reviews.

Kelowna BC, June 30, 2026: Local vacation rental hosts report that tourism accommodation rooms are back up and running in licensed buildings following an “admirable” collaboration between layers of government.


“Kelowna’s online licensing portal is working great. They opened it several weeks before June 1st, so hosts had their license approved from the city ahead of time.”  reports Sarah Rea of HB Property Management in Kelowna.

“Then on June 1st when the provincial licensing portal opened, people were getting approved the same day. The province and the city did an excellent job handling this,” Rea said.

Dale Holmes, also with HP Property Management, notes that this solution and cooperation between the provincial and municipal government is exactly what was needed to regulate the industry. “So no illegal tourism accommodations can exist anymore, and safety and transparency at the forefront.”

The licensing scheme in Kelowna allowed those buildings that were originally zoned and cleared by their stratas to offer tourism accommodation in the downtown core to re-apply for licenses. Safety provisions like a clear fire exit plan needed to be submitted. And proper insurance in place. 



“I think the provincial registry is what we needed. It is good that there are now clear rules in play,” says Rea.



“We have had many of our vacation rentals booked for June already. I know our local business owners will be happy with the influx of tourism,” she adds. 


Holmes points out what he says is an added bonus, not everybody is aware of. In Kelowna these short term rentals often become student housing during the school year.  Owners are able to offer affordable student housing for 8 months of the year.  They rent out during the summer months at a higher vacation rental rate, which helps them provide a subsidy for lower school-year rents. Many of our properties offer affordable housing for students this way,” he notes.



“We really want to give credit to our local municipal staff and councillors who have made the licensing portal online work so efficiently and – thanks to them our local businesses are looking ahead with renewed optimism for a solid summer season,” says Holmes.