What does it take to operate legally?
Short-term rental rules in Nova Scotia stack in three layers — provincial, municipal, and property-specific. Answer a few questions and get one clear compliance checklist, every requirement linked to its own source.
Three layers, and they don’t line up.
What applies to a cottage in Lunenburg is nothing like a condo in Halifax or a house in Wolfville. Instead of reading 49 sets of bylaws, answer a few questions and verify each item yourself.
STRRA registration is universal — but the fee runs $50 to $2,000 a year depending on primary residence and municipal tier.
Permits, licences, insurance, marketing levies, and outright bans for some property types — different in every municipality.
HST, safety code, an out-of-province representative, day caps — driven by your revenue, location, and setup.
Check your requirements
Instant checklist below · nothing saved until you ask for it
Everything it takes to operate legally.
Check off each item as you complete it. Every requirement links to its own source, so you can verify directly.
Email yourself a copy.
We’ll send this checklist to your inbox as a record. Print or save it as a PDF any time.
This Is a Lot to Handle Alone
Your property has complex compliance requirements. Our team handles registration, levies, HST, and ongoing compliance as part of management. Book a quick call to see how we can help.
Book a CallChecklist Saved
Your checklist has been saved. Want to see how much your property could earn while staying fully compliant?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STRRA and do I have to register?
The Short-Term Rentals Registration Act (STRRA) requires all short-term rental operators in Nova Scotia to register annually. "Short-term rental" means roofed accommodation rented for 28 consecutive days or less. Registration runs April 1 to March 31, and your registration number must be displayed on all online listings. There are no exceptions — if you rent for less than 28 days, you must register.
What happens if I operate without registering?
Penalties are significant: $1,000 to $100,000 per offense under the STRRA. Administrative penalties start at $2,000 for a first offense, $4,000 for a second, and $8,000 for a third or more. Penalties reset after 3+ years without violation. Platforms like Airbnb are also required to verify registration numbers and may remove non-compliant listings.
Do I need to collect HST from guests?
It depends on your revenue. If you earn under $30,000 in taxable supplies over 4 consecutive calendar quarters, you qualify as a "small supplier" and don't need to register for HST. Platforms like Airbnb automatically collect and remit HST on your behalf regardless. If you exceed $30,000, you must register with CRA and collect 14% HST on all bookings including direct bookings. The rate is 14% as of April 1, 2025 (5% GST + 9% PST).
What is a marketing levy and does my municipality have one?
A marketing levy is a municipal tax (typically 3%) on short-term accommodation bookings, used to fund local tourism marketing. Not all municipalities have adopted one. Major areas with active levies include HRM, all five Cape Breton municipalities, Colchester/Truro/Stewiacke, Annapolis County, several Pictou County towns, Bridgewater, Chester, Argyle, and Yarmouth District. Use the checker above to see if your municipality has a marketing levy and how to remit it.
Do platforms like Airbnb handle tax collection automatically?
Partially. Airbnb collects HST automatically on platform bookings. For the marketing levy, HRM has arrangements with major platforms for auto-collection, but most other municipalities require hosts to collect and remit the levy manually — even for platform bookings. For direct bookings, the host is always responsible for collecting both HST (if registered) and the marketing levy.
Can I run an STR if it's not my primary residence?
In most Nova Scotia municipalities, yes — but at a higher registration fee. Non-primary-residence STRs are classified as "commercial" under the STRRA, with fees of $240/year (Tier 3), $500/year (Tier 2), or $2,000/year (Tier 1). Some municipalities are more restrictive: Wolfville and Annapolis Royal require primary residence, and HRM restricts commercial whole-home STRs to zones allowing tourist accommodations. Always check your specific municipality.
Regional Regulation Guides
Want the full picture? Read our detailed guides for your region.
Want Us to Handle All of This?
Registration, levies, HST, insurance, safety compliance — it's all part of our management service. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on earning.
Not ready to talk? Read the Getting Started Guide