Yes, vacation rentals can operate in Panorama, but owning a property at the resort doesn't automatically mean you can list it on Airbnb or another booking platform without checking the requirements that apply to that particular unit.

Panorama has a somewhat different regulatory situation than many BC communities. Its resort setting and location within the Regional District of East Kootenay affect which provincial and local short-term rental rules apply, and individual properties may also be subject to strata or other restrictions.

If you're purchasing specifically for vacation rental income, confirming eligibility before you buy is an important part of your due diligence.

Key Takeaways

• Panorama is exempt from BC's provincial principal-residence requirement.
• Being exempt from the principal-residence rule does not mean being exempt from all BC short-term rental requirements.
• Provincial registration requirements generally still apply.
• RDEK zoning and Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permit requirements may need to be considered for an individual property.
• Strata bylaws or other property-specific restrictions can create another layer of requirements.
• Always verify the current requirements for the exact property before purchasing or relying on projected vacation rental income.

What About BC's Principal-Residence Requirement?

British Columbia's principal-residence requirement limits short-term rentals in many communities to a host's principal residence, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit where permitted.

However, the provincial framework exempts prescribed mountain and ski resorts in rural areas from that requirement. That distinction is particularly important for Panorama homeowners because many resort properties are recreational or investment properties rather than an owner's primary residence.

Being exempt from the principal-residence requirement does not, however, mean there are no rules.

Provincial Registration Still Matters

BC operates a provincial Short-Term Rental Registry, and being located somewhere exempt from the principal-residence requirement does not by itself exempt a host from registration.

The Province specifically confirms that hosts in areas exempt from the principal-residence requirement must still register unless their accommodation qualifies for a separate registration exemption.

That means it's important to distinguish between "I'm exempt from the principal-residence requirement" and "I'm exempt from short-term rental regulation."

They are not the same thing.

Understanding Your Panorama Property Before You List

The good news is that Panorama's exemption from BC's principal-residence requirement makes it fundamentally different from communities where an investment property may be prevented from operating as an STR solely because the owner doesn't live there.

But that's only one piece of the regulatory puzzle.

At Aisling Baile, we can help homeowners understand the questions they should investigate based on our experience managing vacation rentals in the area, while final eligibility and approvals remain with the relevant government authorities, strata corporation, and other applicable governing bodies.

Before calculating what a Panorama property could earn, confirm exactly how that property is permitted to operate.

Updated: August 2026