Short-term rental accommodation is the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation in a dwelling unit where a person may rent a portion or all the premises for thirty (30) consecutive days or less.

There are two types of short-term rental accommodations:

  1. Rental of an entire dwelling
  2. Rental of individual rooms or spaces in a home. 

Transactions for short-term rental accommodations are usually completed through online platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.

Tourist Accommodation Tax 

As of April 1, 2025, a Tourist Accommodation Tax of 4% must be charged on the purchase price of tourist accommodation in the City of Yellowknife. The funds collected through this tax will be strategically allocated to grow the tourism sector in Yellowknife. For further details on the specifics of the tax and its intended use, please refer to Tourist Accommodation Tax By-law No. 5099, or click the button below.

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Licensing Requirements

A person applying for the issuance or renewal of a City of Yellowknife Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business Licence must provide satisfactory evidence that:

  1. The short-term rental accommodation operator owns the dwelling unit where the short-term rental accommodation will be offered, or;
  2. The owner of the dwelling unit where the short-term rental accommodation will be offered has consented to the use of the dwelling unit for this purpose.
  3. If the dwelling unit is located in a condo corporation or co-op housing complex, the short-term rental operator must have written permission from the required association stating that the operation of a short-term rental in the unit is approved and does not violate any internal By-laws.
  4. All advertising and marketing of a short-term rental accommodation must include the use of a valid City of Yellowknife business licence number within the advertisement.
  5. The contact name and phone number of a person who can be reached 24 hours per day during rental periods must be clearly visible on the inside of the rental unit.
  6. No person shall carry on business as a short-term rental accommodation operator in a vehicle or an unlawful dwelling as defined in the City’s Zoning By-law.

Note: Hosts who are planning to develop a Secondary Suite must also obtain a Development Permit and Building Permit before any construction can take place. A building Permit is also required for any residential construction inside the home to accommodate a short-term rental accommodation, such as adding a new bedroom or finishing a basement.