The District of Squamish plans to hire a bylaw officer to enforce policy on short-term rentals being offered on Airbnb, Vrbo and other such platforms.
The full-time permanent position will cost the taxpayer $84,000, including benefits.
The bylaw officer would enforce matters related to short-term accommodation rentals, said Christina Moore, the district communications manager.
The officer would also work on ensuring compliance with the solid waste utility and single-use item bylaw, she said.
The district has yet to create specific policies for short-term rentals, although it is leaning towards a more restrictive policy of allowing such rentals only in principal residence.
Last year, the district presented the public with three options.
Option A was the most permissive one of allowing short-term rentals in primary, secondary residence such as a coach house or a basement suite, or in an investment property.
Option B was more restrictive, allowing short-term rentals only in primary or accessory residence.
Option C, recommended by staff, was the most restrictive, allowing short-term rentals only in principal residences.
Most people would have liked a less restrictive approach, if the district’s own public engagement is any indication.
When asked if short-term rentals should be allowed in suites and coach houses, 86 per cent of respondents said yes. In another forum, 71 per cent preferred Option B, and as many as 93 per cent wanted Option A, the least restrictive option.
Staff, however, recommended the most restrictive approach, saying a more permissive approach will only diminish the supply of long-term rentals.
“This best meets the goal to protect the long-term rental housing supply, as it restricts short-term rentals to principal residences only, while the owner or permanent tenant is temporarily away,” according to the report staff presented to council in June last year.
However, staff isn’t recommending a permanent ban on short-term rentals in secondary units, but it’s more of a wait-and-watch approach.
That means first allowing and regulating short-term rentals in principal residences, then taking stock before expanding the bylaw to include secondary units or coach houses.
According to staff, the number of short-term rentals properties in Squamish continues to grow, from nearly 380 in May 2018 to nearly 500 in May 2019.
The district hasn’t yet made any change so far to the short-term rental policy.
A tentative council workshop is planned for Tuesday, March 10, for discussion on policy direction for short-term rentals.
Heidi says
I would really like to know how the proposed, very restrictive, approach to short term rental, if implemented, would impact tourism to Squamish. Where would all the tourists stay? Would they stay in Squamish if basically the only option was a hotel (I assume most of theb gotten time don’t have kitchens)? How would less tourism impact Squamish’s economy? And where would people stay who visit family and don’t want to rent a car to get from a hotel downtown to Valleycliffe. This certainly would be difficult for us.
ted says
With in the next year or so there will be 500 rentals units completed some affordable and the rest permanent . Yes also do not for get tourism .
Daniela says
So only the renter is allowed to rent out their rooms to others short term??? Is this bylaw officer going to watchdog how many short term stays are rotating through a rented property by the renter?? Just look on Facebook and see majority of offered rentals are by renters themselves! Ridiculous!!
Yet another reason there’s a rental crisis, why homeowners and investors are reverting to other investment options.
Besides the high costs of taxes, interest rates, building supplies, tradesmen, loss of rent from dead beat renters and damages, unjust rtb rules and months on end for arbitration hearings etc to take place which aren’t even enforceable.
It’s most unfortunate for both good landlords and renters that the few bad ones (and rtb/government/economy) have created this issue.