Short-term rentals causing parking woes in Vernon neighborhood.

Residents in the Foothills neighborhood say parking is a problem, partly because of short-term rentals and a lack of enforcement.

Jim Lelacheur has been living in the Foothills neighborhood for five years. He says that he is not opposed to short-term rentals as long as they abide by city bylaws, but adds that the parking issues have gone too far.

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“The bylaws clearly state that you are not allowed to have any more vehicles than a house driveway can handle and yet there are houses here that will have sometimes 6 to 8 vehicles,” said Lelacheur.

“There’s times when people would have friends over and they can’t park in front of their house because cars are parking into Airbnb’s,” he adds.

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He says he has spoken to the city about the issue for several years, but has found it easier to speak to the operators and their guests as opposed to waiting for the city.

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Another resident who lives in the neighborhood says that it’s not fair that short term rental guests get away with parking on the street, but local residents get hit with hefty fines.

“There’s no parking on the street, so you know the locals can’t park on the street. So it is kind of frustrating that the Airbnb’s can, but the locals get the tickets,” said resident Todd Gibbs.

He lives in a subdivision with a bike lane and it is illegal to block the lane from cyclists.

Parking issues in the neighborhood were made apparent to one City Councillor, who brought it up at Monday’s council meeting.

“How do we rectify all these new homeowners going up and using their places as an Airbnb because they make a lot more money and just building as many parking spaces in front of their homes?,” said City Councillor Akbal Mund.

“It’s pretty rampant out there. I actually did a walk and I could not believe how many homes are doing the same thing, I think everyone thinks it is a free for all up there” he said.

City Bylaw insists that they have been cracking down on problem houses.

“There is an open file of by-law compliance. We have been dealing with the property owner. They have accepted the compliance to take down the listing on Airbnb because it is in contravention of our zoning bylaw, and we have also sent them a letter requesting an opportunity to attend and inspect the property,” said Geoff Gaucher, Manager of Protective Services on a specific property that the City is aware of in that neighborhood.

The City of Vernon is working on creating a bylaw for short-term rentals, and it is expected to go before Council in a few months.