Register your short-term accommodation
Short-term accommodations (including tourist accommodations) need to register with the Short-term Rentals Registry to operate in Nova Scotia.
By law, short-term accommodations must register to operate in Nova Scotia if they provide accommodations for 28 days in a row or less. For example, if you provide accommodations for a few days (or a few weeks) at a time, you need to register.
You don’t have to register your short-term accommodation if you provide:
- only long-term accommodations (like a year-to-year lease, month-to-month lease or more than 28 days in a row)
- accommodations at campgrounds that are not roofed (like campsites where travellers bring their own tents or trailers)
- accommodations that are only for temporary workers (like temporary workers in healthcare and building trades)
Types of short-term accommodations
The types of short-term accommodations that need to register include:
- primary residence short-term rentals
- commercial short-term rentals
- traditional tourist accommodations
A primary residence short-term rental is a short-term rental in a primary residence. A primary residence is the home where you live as an owner or tenant. It’s also the address you use for bills, identification, taxes and insurance. A primary residence short-term rental can be your whole home when you’re away or a guest room.
A commercial short-term rental is a short-term rental in a dwelling (like a home, backyard or secondary suite, condominium unit or apartment) that’s suitable as long-term housing but is rented on a short-term basis. It’s also not a primary residence.
A traditional tourist accommodation is an accommodation that’s traditionally associated with tourists (like hotels, motels, inns, hostels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, personal vacation homes, cottages, dormitory-style rooms and unusual lodgings like yurts, domes and recreational vehicles).
Registration number
You get a registration number after you register your short-term accommodation and pay the registration fee (keep the number for your records). You need the registration number to advertise your accommodation on short-term accommodations marketing platforms (like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and Vrbo).
Transferring a registration number to a new owner
If you’re selling an already registered short-term accommodation, you can’t transfer the registration to the new owner. The new owner needs to register the accommodation before they start operating the accommodation.
Eligibility
All short-term accommodations need to register to operate in Nova Scotia. You need to register your short-term accommodation before you start operating the accommodation.
You need to register each short-term accommodation location with a different civic address (each location gets a separate registration number). You can register multiple accommodations at the same time.
How to register
- Review detailed criteria in the Guide to Registering Your Short-term Accommodation (PDF).
- Register online.
- Check the registration form for details on all required supporting documents.
- Submit your completed registration and supporting documents.
- The Short-term Rentals Registry reviews your registration details and supporting documents.
- If the Short-term Rentals Registry approves your registration, the registry emails you instructions for submitting payment (and confirms your registration fee).
- After you pay the registration fee, the Short-term Rentals Registry emails you a receipt and registration number. Keep a copy for your records.
How long it takes
It should take 2 to 3 weeks to get your registration number. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application doesn’t include all the required information.
Cost
The cost of registration is based on the type of short-term accommodation.
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration - primary residence short-term rental (for renting individual bedrooms see fees for traditional tourist accommodation) | $50.00 |
| Registration - commercial short-term rental tier 1 (Bedford, Beechville, Cole Harbour, Dartmouth, Halifax, Lakeside, Lower Sackville) | $2,000.00 |
| Registration - commercial short-term rental tier 2 (communities not in tier 1 or tier 3) | $500.00 |
| Registration - commercial short-term rental tier 3 (Town of Clark’s Harbour, Town of Digby, Town of Lockeport, Town of Mulgrave, Town of Shelburne) | $240.00 |
| Registration - traditional tourist accommodation (1 to 4 bedrooms) | $50.00 |
| Registration - traditional tourist accommodation (5 or more bedrooms) | $150.00 |
Payment options
Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit card.
When you pay online you need to pay the fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard).
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- civic address of short-term accommodation and number of bedrooms or units in the accommodation
- name, mailing address, email and phone number for host or operator
- your registration number, if you previously registered your accommodation
- proof of compliance with municipal land-use by-laws (check with your municipality to confirm what proof is required for your application)
- 2 supporting documents showing proof of primary residence if the accommodation is a primary residence short-term rental
- 2 supporting documents showing proof that the accommodation isn’t your primary residence if the accommodation is a short-term rental in a personal vacation home
- completed Property Owner Consent Short-term Rental Registration Form (PDF) if the accommodation is a short-term rental in a rented accommodation (for example, the host is a tenant)
- completed Condo Board Consent Short-term Rental Registration Form (PDF) if the accommodation is a short-term rental in a condominium