When the B.C. government announced it was introducing new legislation aimed at addressing the impact of short-term rentals, I was skeptical to say the least. While messaging with a friend who asked my opinion, I replied, “We will see. I’m trying to be positive but unless there are big changes it will be toothless.”
The legislation limits short-term rentals to their principal residence, within a host’s home, or a basement suite or laneway home on the property where they reside. This is good news for cities and towns that do not have this in place already.
There are increases to fines assessed to operators not complying with these new rules, but no immediate investment in helping communities hire dedicated bylaw officers to manage received complaints. A requirement to include the business license number on the listings can be easily circumnavigated with a fake number—especially as they are requesting the platforms themselves monitor the listings for compliance.
But the real kicker?
Fourteen resort municipalities, mountain resort areas, electoral areas including the Gulf Islands, and most municipalities with a population under 10,000 people will initially be exempt from a principal residence requirement but can opt in if the local government decides to.
I am frankly shocked, but sadly not surprised, to hear that resort municipalities like Whistler will be exempt from the principal residence requirement. Thankfully, Pemberton already has a principal residence requirement, or we would be exempt also.
The most desirable tourist markets in our province will not be required to enforce this new legislation. The places in our province that are most affected by a shortage of long-term housing are the same places that are exempt.
Toothless.
