Starting May 1, new rules will go into effect restricting short-term rentals to primary residences and a secondary suite or what’s known as an “accessory dwelling unit,” such as a house on the street, on 65 BC communities.
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Travelers who have made short-term rental reservations in British Columbia this summer might want to take a closer look at what the province’s new regulations could mean when they come into effect on May 1.
The new rules aim to return short-term rental units to the long-term rental market.
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Potential guests are starting to wonder if their reservations could be cancelled, leaving them without an alternative option. Some operators and hosts are doing their best to answer questions. Both sides are seeking to understand the changing landscape and fine print of the legislation, which includes higher fines and the launch of a provincial registration and enforcement unit.
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Here’s what we know so far:
What are the new regulations?
Starting May 1, new rules will go into effect that restrict short-term rentals to primary residences and a secondary suite or what is known as an “accessory dwelling unit,” such as a house on the street, on 65 BC communities.
What communities are affected?
He 65 communities In British Columbia, those who will have to comply with new regulations are those with a population of more than 10,000 people or who are very close to one or more larger communities. The province has identified smaller communities and some tourist destinations that are exempt from the new regulations. These include mountain resorts, BC Parks resorts, trust areas under the Islands Trust Act, and agricultural land. Certain types of accommodation that would not easily be converted into permanent housing due to their ownership structures are also exempt.
What is the reaction?
Local governments can apply to be exempt from the list if the community has a rental vacancy rate of three percent or more for two consecutive years. This year, the deadline to request a waiver is February 29. In future years, any changes will be implemented on November 1 and the deadline to request them will be March 31.
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In Parksville, owners of an area of 300 short-term rental suites near Rathtrevor Beach, known as Resort Drive, are expressing their opposition to being listed and advocating for an exemption.
“People are confused about what to do until then,” said Judy Thomas, who manages rentals for owners of units that were built and have long existed under municipal tourist zoning.
This week, it began contacting people with reservations to inform them about the situation and efforts to lobby for an exemption.
One of the people he informed was Rob Lennox, who months ago made a reservation for a two-week stay this summer, as he has done with his family for more than 35 years.
“All of a sudden, I’m worried that that reserve could be in danger,” Lennox said.
Questions are also being raised by owners in some other areas of Victoria and Kelowna, where there are purpose-built strata units that owners use as vacation properties and rent out the rest of the time, said Walt Judas, tourism industry chief executive. BC Association, which supports government legislation.
“We will see how it develops and if an adjustment is necessary in a year, it can be studied,” Judas said.
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What are the fines?
The province is increasing the maximum fines regional districts can impose for the prosecution of bylaw violations from $2,000 to $50,000. It is also increasing the maximum ticketing fine a local government can set from $1,000 to $3,000 per violation, per day.
How will this be enforced?
The province will establish a short-term rental registry starting in late 2024 or early 2025. This will allow the province to see which short-term rental platforms and hosts are following the rules and will provide the province and local governments with information to enforce the rules. . A provincial law enforcement unit will track compliance, issue orders and administer sanctions.
This summer, local governments will begin sharing information with the province so it can enforce the rules when there are listings for short-term rentals that do not have business licenses.
The terms for canceling a reservation and returning deposits vary widely. Many reservations require a deposit and require the balance to be paid 60 or 90 days before the reservation, so for reservations in July, this next step would begin in early April or May.
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What do the big players in the short-term rental market predict will happen this summer?
Airbnb says it’s too early to tell. He is directing questions from hosts and guests to government authorities. website outlining the new regulations.
“We are working to minimize the impact that strict regulations will have on travelers in BC. While it’s too early to know exactly what the picture will be in May, we know that the people who will be most affected are BC residents with a record 1.1 million British Columbia guest arrivals within the province last year ”Nathan Rotman, policy lead for Canada at Airbnb, said in a statement.
The new short-term rental rules affect these 65 BC communities:
• Abbotsford
• Further
• Belcarrá
• Burnaby
• Campbell River
• Downtown Saanich
• Chilliwack
• Cold current
• Colwood
• Comox
• Coquitlam
• Courtenay
• Cranbrook
•Cumberland
• Dawson Creek
• delta
•Duncan
• Esquimalt
• Fort San Juan
• Highlands
• Kamloops
• Kelowna
• Lakes Region
• Langford
• Langley (City)
• Langley (municipality)
• Maple crest
• Metchosine
• Mission
• Nanaimo
•Nelson
• New Westminster,
• North Cowichan
• North Saanich
• Vancouver North (City)
• Vancouver North (District)
• Oak Bay, Parksville
• Penticton
• Pitt meadows
• Puerto Alberni
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Pouce Coupe
• Powell River
• Prince George
•Richmond
• Qualicum Beach
• Saanich
• Salmon arm
• Sechelt
• Sydney
• Sooke
• Squamish
• Summer land
• Surrey
• Terrace
•Vancouver
• Vernon
•Victory
• See Real
•West Kelowna
• West Vancouver
• White Rock
• Williams Lake
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