If you’re thinking about investing in a property in Montreal with the intention of renting it out on Airbnb or another short-term rental platform, you need to understand how Quebec and Montreal laws treat these kinds of rentals in 2026.

The short answer is: Yes, short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) are allowed in Montreal, but only under very specific conditions and within strict legal limits. It’s not automatically permitted just because you own the property.

Montreal, facing a serious housing crisis and pressure on rental supply, has implemented one of the strictest regulatory frameworks for short-term rentals in Canada. This is part of a broader effort to balance tourism demand, housing availability, and neighbourhood quality of life.

What counts as a short-term rental in Montreal?

In Quebec, any rental for 31 days or fewer is generally considered a short-term rental and falls under the province’s tourist accommodation rules. This includes platforms such as:

1. Airbnb
2. Vrbo
3. Booking.com
4. Similar vacation rental sites

To operate legally, these rentals must be recognized under the Tourist Accommodation Act and the corresponding municipal bylaws.

The current legal conditions for Airbnb in Montreal

1. Main residence requirement

Montreal only allows short-term rentals of a property’s principal residence, meaning the unit where you live most of the year and usually only under the city’s seasonal rules.

You cannot rent out a secondary residence or investment property year-round on Airbnb unless it meets additional criteria related to commercial tourist zones or occupancy certificates.

2. Seasonal restriction: June 10 to September 10

One of the biggest changes implemented by the City of Montreal in recent years is the restriction that short-term rentals may only be offered from June 10 to September 10 each year.

This roughly three-month period corresponds to peak tourism season and represents the only time when a principal residence can be legally rented for stays of 31 days or fewer under the primary rules.

Outside that period (September 11 to June 9):

1. Principal residences generally cannot be rented on Airbnb or similar platforms
2. Secondary residences may still qualify in certain boroughs if they meet commercial requirements and have a valid certificate of occupancy

This seasonal restriction is intended to protect Montreal's long-term housing stock and limit the number of units diverted from the traditional rental market.

What permits are required?

To operate legally in Montreal, you must have multiple official registrations:

1. Quebec provincial registration (CITQ)

To rent out any short-term lodging (under 31 days), Quebec provincial law requires hosts to obtain a classification certificate from the Corporation de l’Industrie Touristique du Québec (CITQ).

This certificate:

1. Confirms the property meets tourist accommodation standards
2. Requires the host to display a valid CITQ number on the listing
3. Ensures provincial safety regulations are met

Without this certificate, a listing is generally considered illegal at the provincial level, regardless of what any rental platform says.

2. Municipal host permit from the City of Montreal

In addition to CITQ approval, Montreal requires a municipal permit to operate short-term rentals. This permit usually costs around $300 and must be obtained before offering the property for short stays.

Both the CITQ and the municipal permit must be valid and displayed in listings where possible.

3. Zoning and occupancy certificates (if not principal residence)

If you intend to rent a property that is not your primary residence, additional rules apply:

1. The property must be located in a commercial tourist zone designated by the borough
2. You must obtain a certificate of occupancy that authorizes year-round short-term rentals in that zone

These zones are limited and vary by borough.

Enforcement and penalties

Montreal actively enforces these rules. Fines for non-compliance can be significant:

1. Fines of up to $1,000 per night for illegal short-term rentals are possible
2. Repeat offences can see fines double to $2,000 per night or more

The city has also increased the number of inspectors tasked with identifying illegal listings and issuing penalties.

Platforms like Airbnb may also face fines if they allow unregistered listings to remain active, up to $100,000 under provincial rules requiring platforms to verify registration numbers on listings.

Why Montreal implemented these restrictions

Montreal’s short-term rental crackdown isn’t random; it’s driven by housing market pressures.

Many housing advocates and city planners argue that:

1. Too many units were being pulled out of the long-term rental supply because of Airbnb-style rentals
2. This contributed to higher rental prices and reduced availability for residents
3. A sharp response was needed to balance tourism with local housing needs

A tragic 2023 fire in Old Montreal, linked to unregulated short-term rentals, also accelerated political support for stricter oversight.

What this means for landlords and investors in 2026

Principal residence owners

If you live in the property you intend to rent and meet all permit requirements, you can operate legally during the June 10 – September 10 window, provided:

1. The property is registered with the CITQ
2. You have a valid municipal short-term rental permit
3. You abide by any borough-level zoning rules

This can be a lucrative seasonal income strategy, but it is much more controlled than in the past.

Investment properties and secondary residences

For properties not used as your main residence:

1. You generally cannot Airbnb them year-round
2. You must verify if your property is in a commercial tourist zone
3. You must obtain all provincial and municipal approvals

In most residential neighbourhoods, year-round short-term rentals are not permitted unless you meet very specific criteria.

This often makes such strategies more complex and costly for investors.

Condo corporations and building rules

Even if municipal and provincial laws allow short-term rentals:

1. Condo corporations can impose their own restrictions
2. Some buildings ban short-term rentals in their bylaws
3. You must always check condo regulations before listing

Failing to comply with condo bylaws can lead to legal disputes separate from municipal enforcement.

Common misunderstandings about Airbnb in Montreal

❌ “Airbnb is illegal everywhere in Montreal.”

Not exactly. It is allowed, but under strict conditions and for limited months.

❌ “I can rent out any property year-round.”

No, this is prohibited unless the property is in a designated commercial tourist zone or used as your principal residence during the summer window.

❌ “Online platforms don’t care about legality.”

This used to be true, but the law now requires platforms to verify registration numbers before publishing listings, and enforcement is increasing.

Bottom line (2026)

Is Airbnb allowed in Montreal in 2026?

Yes, but only under strict regulatory conditions.

To rent legally:

1. You must meet both provincial and municipal requirements
2. You must operate within designated time windows and zones
3. You must maintain current permits and registrations
4. You must respect condo and zoning rules

Montreal’s rules aim to balance tourism benefits with housing needs, and compliance is essential for avoiding fines and legal issues.

📞 Considering a short-term rental or investment property?

If you’re thinking about buying a property in Montreal and want to understand whether short-term rentals are viable:

👉 Book an investor consultation with LJ Realties

We’ll help you evaluate the legal framework, the potential for cash flow, and whether short-term rentals fit your investment strategy.