Regional district taking ‘wait-and-see’ approach to short term rental regulations

Mar 27, 2024 | 1:00 PM

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) is not taking any immediate action to address short-term rentals (STRs) in the region.

In a release, the CSRD said it would be taking a “wait-and-see” approach to the issue of the new provincial legislation until the B.C. government provides greater clarity on the STR regulations.

Though not taking immediate action, the CSRD encourages STR owners to contact planning staff ahead of the new legislation coming into effect in May to review the zoning regulations and confirm if an STR is permitted on their property.

The province will be establishing an STR registry by the end of 2024 that people wishing to operate a short-term rental will be able to apply to, and zoning amendments may be needed to qualify for the registry.

“The provincial STR registry, we have no idea what the procedure for someone to get on the registry is going to be. How do they apply, what’s required… We’ve been hearing a lot of questions, as I’m sure some of the area directors are as well, with regards to the implementation of this legislation,” Gerald Christie, general manager of the CSRD’s development services, said.

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“People are wanting answers to these kinds of questions, but to put it succinctly, we don’t have the information yet.”

A principal residence requirement that limits STRs to the host’s principal residence plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit will come into place May 1, and the province will be creating an STR Compliance and Enforcement unit to ensure properties are compliant.

As of time of publication, all electoral areas are exempt of principal residence requirement, and while local governments may choose to opt-in, the CSRD said the board had decided not to at first, though the issue will be discussed again later in the year once more information is provided.

The CSRD noted one possible method to approve STRs in the region is through temporary use permits, however, the CSRD’s South Shuswap Official Community Plan does not currently allow those permits in that area.

CSRD staff have been tasked with preparing bylaw amendments that will provide the ability to issues temporary use permits for Electoral Areas C and G.

The CSRD has more information on STRs online.

by Liam Verster

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