By Tom Mark

Lake Country Studies B&B’s

Jan 18, 2018 | 9:38 AM

Lake Country council is looking into a new bylaw that would cover short term rentals like Air B and B’s.

Mayor James Baker says a survey was done on the issue which supported such a bylaw, but not to the point where it detracts from longer term rentals.

“And also so that it doesn’t impact our commercial hospitality industry. I mean if you have everybody renting out of their home they’re not paying the same expenses that somebody running a motel or hotel has to pay.”

Baker says bed and breakfasts have to have a business license to operate, but Air B n B’s can see houses rented out — short term — for considerable money, with no license.

” And so we want to make sure that we can get a handle on exactly how much of that is happening by people having to take out a business license.”

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He says the district wants to be diligent in writing up a bylaw.

“There are a lot of ramifications and implications. If you have a virtual hotel operation in a residential area it impacts the neighbourhood and we have to curtail that in some way.”

Baker says more work needs to be done before a bylaw can be drawn up.

Staff have been told to study the matter further and see how similar communities are dealing with the issue.

No date has been given for them to come back by.

by Tom Mark