What do I need to know about hosting experiences in parks and recreational areas of Vancouver?

These information pages can help you get started in learning about some of the laws and registration requirements that may apply to your experiences on Airbnb. These pages include summaries of some of the rules that may apply to different sorts of activities, and contain links to government resources that you may find helpful.

Please understand that these information pages are not comprehensive, and are not legal advice. If you are unsure about how local laws or this information may apply to you or your Experience, we encourage you to check with official sources or seek legal advice.

Please note that we don’t update this information in real time, so you should confirm that the laws or procedures have not changed recently.*

I’m hosting an experience at a beach or a park in Vancouver, do I need a reservation or a permit?

You may need a reservation or a permit for certain types of experiences and for certain places when you’re hosting an experience.

Follow these steps to figure out whether you’ll need to get a permit or make a reservation for your experience:

• Step 1: Choose your location. Start by determining which level of government manages the park, beach or facility you have in mind for your experience. If your experience is at a park outside Vancouver, see our note below about BC Provincial and National parks.
• **Step 2: Figure out if you’re hosting an event that requires a permit.**Once you’ve found your location, ask whether you’re hosting an experience that requires a permit for that location.
• For example, an experience involving a fitness activity or instruction (like yoga or tennis lessons) at a park or beach managed by the City of Vancouver, like Kitsilano Beach, would probably be considered an event that requires a special permit.
• Fitness: Also, please check out the article on other factors you should consider when hosting a fitness activity.
• **Step 3: If you need a permit, complete the application process.**Once you’ve determined that you’re hosting an event that requires a permit, you’ll need to complete the permit application process before hosting your experience.
• Step 4: Determine if you need to reserve your location, and complete the reservation process. If you don’t need a special event permit, you may still need to reserve your park area, beach, or facility. Determine whether your location requires a reservation and, if it does, complete the reservation process.

Step 1: Choose your Location.

I’ve chosen the park, beach, or recreational area where I want to host my experience. Who do I need to talk to in that park, beach, or facility?

Many of Vancouver’s most popular parks, like Stanley Park and Kitsliano Beach, are managed by the Vancouver Board of, Parks and Recreation. Applicable permits or reservations should be obtained from the City if you plan to host your experience at a Vancouver park.

In the greater Vancouver area, Metro Vancouver manages 23 regional parks and facilities. Applicable permits or reservations in those areas can be obtained from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks if you plan to host your experience at a Metro Vancouver park.

In addition, BC Parks manages many provincial parks, campgrounds and facilities around the greater Vancouver area. Any applicable permits or reservations will need to be made with BC Parks if you plan to host your experience at a provincial park.

You’ll need to contact Parks Canada if you plan to host your experience in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve or the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

A note about Vancouver parks: The City of Vancouver is but one of many levels of government that operate parks in the area. Metro Vancouver hosts a number of regional parks in an area comprising 21 municipalities. Like the City of Vancouver, many of these municipalities also manage their own parks, beaches and facilities. In addition to the many one-of-a-kind parks and beaches in the Vancouver area, there are several must-see provincial and national parks in striking distance from Vancouver.