BC interior relators are calling to loosen restrictions on short-term vacation rentals, following a report released this week, arguing the current regulations are harming the tourism sector and reducing temporary workforce housing.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® says the report conducts a qualitative study of provincial short-term rental rules focusing on the challenges these rules and regulations have created for communities across the interior of BC.
“Since the inception of the new regulations on short-term rentals we’ve been hearing of issues in every corner of our Association,” says Kadin Rainville, Association of Interior REALTORS® President.
Currently, short-term vacation rentals like VRBO and Airbnb are allowed only on the property of a homeowner’s principal residence.
The report makes 4 recommendations to policymakers to unlock more flexibility in the current short-term rental rules:
1) Return zoning autonomy to local governments and allow them to designate tourism zones that are exempt from the province’s principal residence requirement
2) Enable flexibility near essential worksites and healthcare centers by creating exemption zones around these sites
3) Align regulations with seasonal tourism needs by allowing community opt-outs to take effect immediately upon approval
4) Allow strata hotel and fractional ownership properties to operate as intended by providing them a full exemption without additional requirements
“We understand the impetus behind the legislation, we have critical housing issues in this province. That said, we need to make sure policy is balancing these housing issues with economic well-being of interior communities. Our recommendations are really asking for a little more flexibility in the rules to allow for that balance,” adds Rainville.
With this report the Association of Interior REALTORS® hopes to bring these issues to light ahead of the peak summer tourist season.
“As we head into a summer where geopolitical tensions are expected to drive up domestic tourism, we thought now is the right time to present this research, have a conversation, and try to make these short-term rental policies work better for everyone,” concludes Rainville.
