Ask West Kelowna
Short Term Rentals
Short Term Rental accommodations are a growing trend and there are a number of opportunities and challenges that surround this type of use, particularly in predominantly residential areas.
Council provided direction to staff that Short Term Rentals be regulated, and that the creation of regulations for short-term rentals be done through the review of regional comparisons and consultation with both stakeholders and the public.
Short Term Rentals are a form of tourism accommodation, that is typically defined as renting a dwelling (house, apartment, condo townhouse), for a period of less than 30 days. Short Term Rentals are a form of accommodation service, and like hotels, resorts, and Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), serve the greater tourism industry. However, unlike traditional accommodation services like hotels and resorts, Short Term Rentals have the advantage of being located in a variety of neighbourhoods and a diversity of dwelling types, sizes, and locations which may make use of local amenities.
| Proposed Regulations |
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On April 6th, 2021, Council received a report which provided additional information and clarification requested by Council during the Public Hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 0154.99 regarding short term rental regulations. The report also outlined various options and decision points for Council to make in order to direct staff on the next steps in developing regulations for short term rentals. The result of the decision points, which will determine the sequence of next steps, are as follows:
THAT Council direct staff to:
A revised Bylaw will be brought back to Council at an upcoming Council Meeting for consideration and direction to schedule a new Public Hearing.
Look under the Additional Information tab below for previous council reports and the proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw. |
| Public Hearing |
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The City of West Kelowna Council is considering amendments to the Zoning Bylaw to regulate short term rentals in residential areas. A Public Hearing was held Tuesday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of West Kelowna, 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna to consider: “ZONING AMENDMENT Bylaw No. 154.99”. The meeting was webcast live and the recording may be viewed at: www.westkelownacity.ca/webcasts. Copies of the bylaw, written submissions and other related materials may be viewed online at here at the City's Agenda and Minutes Calendar. Select Public Hearing on March 16.
*In accordance with the Provincial Health Officer Order on Gatherings and Events, members of the public were restricted from attending Public Hearings in person. The City provided the option to participate by phone.
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| Online Questionnaire - Now Completed |
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Thank you to the residents, stakeholders and community members who provided feedback on the Draft Regulations for Short Term Rentals. An Online Questionnaire was launched on November 30th, 2020 and ran until January 3rd, 2021. Staff are now compiling the feedback received and will use feedback from the questionnaire, public and stakeholder correspondence to inform further refinements to the proposed Short Term Rental Regulations. |
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| Challenges |
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| Additional Information |
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Staff Report
Decision/Resolution: Council provided direction to staff that Short Term Rentals be regulated, and that the creation of regulations for Short Term Rentals be done through the review of regional practices and consultation with both stakeholders and the public. Council's direction followed the decision points presented to Council (Attachment 5). Staff Report
Decision/Resolution: Council directed staff to further engage the community and stakeholders on the proposed Short Term Rental program as outlined in the November 24th Council Report. Staff Report
Decision/Resolution: Council had a discussion on the questionnaire results. Staff Report
Decision/Resolution: Council gave first and second reading to the "City of West Kelowna Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 0154.99, 2021" and directed staff to proceed with scheduling a public hearing. Staff Report
Decision/Resolution: THAT Council direct staff to:
A revised Bylaw will be brought back to Council at an upcoming Council Meeting for consideration and direction to schedule a new Public Hearing. |
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Important Dates - Timeline |
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September 29, 2020 Council gave direction to staff to complete the review, consultation, and drafting process in order to be ready for the next tourist season. The city is working towards the implementation of Short Term Rental Regulations for May of 2021. November 24, 2020 Council considered a proposed Draft Regulation program for Short term Rentals and directed staff to further engage the community and stakeholders on the Draft Regulations. November 30, 2020 - January 3, 2021 An online questionnaire was shared and was made available for community feedback from residents, short term rental operators, traditional operators and stakeholders. Results were used to inform the Draft Regulations. January 4 - 22, 2021 Staff compiled and reviewed feedback received via the online questionnaire, public and stakeholder correspondence. Working within the Guiding Principles and regionally consistent practices, staff developed proposed Bylaw Amendments to introduce Short Term Rental regulations for Council's Consideration in Winter/Spring 2021. January 26, 2021 An information was provided to Council with a summary of the online engagement feedback received February 23, 2021 Council received a report and gave First and Second Reading of the Bylaw and scheduled a public hearing. March 16, 2021 A Public Hearing was held Tuesday, March 16 at 5:00 pm. in the Council Chambers of the City of West Kelowna, 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna to consider: "ZONING AMENDMENT Bylaw No. 154.99". April 6, 2021 Council received a Decision Points Report which provided additional information and clarification requested by Council regarding short term rental regulations and outlined various options and decision points for Council to make (See Proposed Regulation for the direction received). DATE TBD Council will rescind 2nd Reading of Zoning Bylaw No. 0154.99 and consider an Amended Bylaw incorporating the changes directed on April 6th. If the amended bylaw receives 2nd Reading, a Public Hearing will be scheduled.
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FAQs |
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Q: Will there be a public hearing for Short Term Rentals and can resident’s vote “no” to allowing Short Term Rentals? A: A Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of West Kelowna, 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna to consider: “ZONING AMENDMENT Bylaw No. 154.99”. Council has provided direction to regulate short term rentals. The Public Hearing is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback to Council on the proposed regulations. The intent is to understand how best to regulate short term rentals.
Q: What's changing for Bed and Breakfasts? A: It's proposed to change the name Bed and Breakfast in the Zoning Bylaw to Minor Short Term Rental. It is also proposed to reduce the number of bedrooms a minor short term rental (B&B) can rent from 4 to 3 bedrooms. A minor short term rental (B&B) operator must remain on-site during their guests' stays.
Q: I currently operate a 4 bedroom bed and breakfast - will I be grandfathered? A: Yes. Existing licenced Bed and Breakfasts with four bedrooms available for rent will be able to continue operating. The changes to the Zoning regulations would not apply to existing licenced operators.
Q: What's the difference between a Minor and Major Short Term Rental? A: A Minor Short Term Rental is a hosted vacation rental, which includes bed and breakfasts. This means the operator is on-site during their guests' stays to check them in and to provide assistance during their stay. A Minor Short Term Rental can host multiple groups at any one time (each bedroom may be rented to separate guests.) A Major Short Term Rental may be un-hosted. This means that an operator may be away while their property is being used as vacation rental. A Major Short Term Rental can only host one group at any one time.
Q: It sounds like a Short Term Rental operator can only rent out a room (or rooms) in their home with a shared kitchen, is this correct? A: Yes, mostly. A Short Term Rental is proposed to be limited to a maximum of 3 bedrooms (minor) or 4 bedrooms (major) within the operators principal residence. However, an operator of a major short term rental may rent out their entire home at times when they are away. This means that while the operator is at home, they may only rent out up to 4 bedrooms to a maximum of 8 adults. However, if the operator is away (e.g., away on on a business trip or away for a holiday/vacation), the operators entire home may be rented up to a maximum of 8 adults. Properties with a secondary suite or a carriage house are proposed to not be permitted to operate a Short Term Rental in the regulations.
Q: I live on a property already zoned for Resort Apartment or Resort Townhouse use, how will these regulations affect me? A: The City's C6 - Resort & Tourist Commercial Zone and some CD (Comprehensive Development) Zones already permit a similar use to Short Term Rentals. This use is defined as "Resort Apartment or Resort Townhouse - meaning apartments or townhouses that may be occupied for periods of less than 30 consecutive days". The proposed new use of Short Term Rentals and the associated draft regulations would only apply to single detached dwellings. Properties with the permitted use of Resort Apartment or Resort Townhouse can continue to operate as rental units for less than 30 days, a business licence may be required. Examples of properties with this permitted use include: Barona Beach Lakefront Resort (C6 Zone), Casa Loma Resort (C6 Zone) and The Cove Lakeside Resort (CD2 Zone).
Q: Will I still be able to use my Secondary Suite for a Long Term Rental? A: Yes, Secondary Suites will still be available for long term rentals (rentals greater than 30 days). One of the top two guiding principles used to develop the regulations was to Protect Long Term Rentals.
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