Kelowna cityscape/Kelowna10 app

By Vernon Matters Staff

short term rentals

Kelowna Chamber pushes province for short term rental changes

Jan 26, 2026 | 5:27 PM

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce says it is not content to wait until Nov.1 for an automatic exemption to the province’s short term rental (STR) laws.

Chamber CEO George Greenwood was commenting on the City’s recent application for a quick exemption with a big visitation season approaching, including the Memorial Cup in May.

Greenwood said he is very cautiously hopeful the province will approve.

However, so far there has been no clear indication from Victoria on whether the province will grant the speedy exemption. There is no precedent for the provincial government to change the regulatory process, which dictates changes to STR regulations ae made Nov.1

In a statement Greenwood said, in part, the Kelowna Chamber is part of the front-line movement in Kelowna to convince the provincial government to sign an early exemption to allow short term rentals in buildings which meet all provincial and municipal guidelines prior to November 1, 2026.

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“It’s just a matter of a signature in Victoria,” Greenwood said. “Kelowna has met all the requirements of legislation. Why would the government force local businesses to lose revenue during the May Memorial Cup, and summer events, not to mention business from Kelowna’s summer tourists, just because of an arbitrary date on three-year old legislation?

“The Kelowna Chamber is working with members, tourism organizations, the City and its elected MLAs to ensure we’re ready and welcoming as soon as possible. We’re not content to wait until November 1st for an automatic exemption.”