Will add responses when received from other municipalities.
Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks allows short term rentals in all Tourist Accommodation zoned areas which is primarily condo/townhouse complexes as well as through a Temporary Use Permit application process that allows up to 25% of any individual single family resident neighbourhoods to rent short term. Business license costs have recently been raised to cover the costs of a third party software program that will automate much of the complaint process and monitoring of advertising to ensure compliance with zoning and business license requirements.
District of Sicamous
Part 1: The first step in balancing the availability of housing with short term rentals is understanding the impact of short term rentals on housing supply. This means that local governments need access to data that isn't made readily available - a recommendation of the District's housing strategy is to support UBCM's call to action in this regard. In the meantime, regulation through a municipalities ability to issue business licences is the principle way to collect this information. The District implemented regulations through its zoning bylaw and business licencing bylaw early 2023.
Part 2: Bylaw Enforcement is a service for which the cost of is reflected in our business licencing fees for short term rentals. Part of the District’s housing strategy contemplates implementation of a BON system, which requires partnering with regional local governments to establish. This was already being contemplated and could be a significant enforcement tool that may be necessary to use.
Part 3: MRDT is a municipal sales tax on tourist accommodations, including short term rentals. Currently, the District participates in MRDT at 2%. Since implementation of regulations for short term rentals, the District has seen a significant increase in these funds. These funds can only be used to support tourism, however, with the support of accommodation providers, can contribute an additional 1% to a specific housing project. The District's housing strategy recommends exploring this with accommodation providers at the end of the current agreement and hopes to find support for one of the District's partner projects.
District of Tofino
STR bylaws are under review – currently STR bylaws have numerous restrictions and requirements – licensing fees are quite high in order to cover costs of enforcement. OAP has been covering many costs. There is a future possibility more MRDT may be transferred to affordable housing, though that would take stakeholder discussion and agreement.
Whistler Housing Authority
We allocate the revenue received from OAP/MRDT – 50% to Tourism Whistler promoting and supporting a thriving tourism market in Whistler, and 50% towards the creation of long term affordable employee housing for the community’s workforce.