Sechelt council gave three readings to a bylaw that would eliminate non-residency short-term rentals (STRs) in the district during its March 20 regular meeting.
Andrew Allen, director of planning and development, said that the STR regulations were established in 2022, and implementation began in 2023. Last November, a report presented to council proposed amendments to align with coming provincial legislation. This amendment follows the direction the province has given in respect to renting out principal residences.
This will remove the option for a Type 3 un-hosted STRs as well as the ability to apply for a temporary use permit for such a use.
“It is our expectation through the business bylaw, through operation and regulation of business, that if you are renting out your principal residence, that you would be there as the host,” Allen said, adding that in scenarios where the homeowner will not be present, a backup on-call person should be appointed.
The BC Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act enforcement begins May 1, which Allen explained is part of the reason this is being presented now, to give council three possible meetings to follow up.
Coun. Dianne McLauchlan asked how the backup host was going to be regulated, Allen explained that as part of the business licence being issued, the homeowner would need to provide contact details for their backup host, enabling the district to contact them if needed.
Mayor John Henderson asked if the province is going to assist Sechelt, speaking specifically to bylaw enforcement.
Allen responded that the province will be establishing an enforcement team, but was unsure at this point what it will look like.
Allen said while it is simple for the district to confirm which is a homeowner’s primary residence, monitoring and enforcing if they actually live at that residence or just rent it out has and continues to be a challenge.
Council gave the bylaw three readings with Henderson opposed.
Henderson opposed this bylaw when it was last presented in November, saying it felt “fairly anticipatory” of the coming provincial legislation.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
