Since 2016, short-term rentals in Powell River, including Airbnb and other online platforms that offer vacation properties for a few nights, have increased from about 20 to more than 50 units in June 2018.
But City of Powell River does not have any policies in its Sustainable Official Community Plan for short-term rentals, according to a report delivered to committee of the whole on July 3 by senior planner Daniella Fergusson.
“We've been watching short-term listings from May 2016 and they're steadily increasing and still going up,” said Fergusson.
The city hired a consultant to conduct public engagement opportunities and look at other communities that are similar in size, as well as having similar goals, such as increasing the share of tourism in local economies, according to Fergusson.
In order to gauge opinion on the issue, approximately 300 residents participated in stakeholder interviews, public information meetings and an online survey between November 2017 and February 2018.
“We're heading in the right direction between a balance of regulation and freedom for people to rent their available accommodation and I'm very pleased at that,” said city councillor Rob Southcott, who attended all of the public engagement sessions.
From those meetings, the city and its consultant, Whistler Centre for Sustainability, arrived at recommendations that support a moderate expansion of short-term rental accommodations in the city, including:
• Requiring a business licence for operation and advertising short-term rentals
• Allowing full-dwelling home rentals that are non-strata, primary residence properties only, with only one unit rented at any time, and in single-family zones only
• Capping the number of short-term rentals at 50 units
• Allowing rentals year-round
• Limiting the number of people occupying the unit and requiring a parking space for each room rented
Background research and survey responses indicate:
• 56 per cent of residents support the regulation of short-term rentals
• Two-thirds support the expansion of short-term rental opportunities
• 92 per cent support short-term rental opportunities in primary residences
• Respondents support short-term rentals in single-family homes and their secondary suites
• Respondents support short-term rentals in all neighbourhoods in Powell River
Concerns have been raised by Powell River bed and breakfast operators, who Fergusson said are at a disadvantage when compared to Airbnb because the online platform allows anyone to host people in their homes.
“They're not requiring proof that somebody is running a business or someone has a business licence or had a health and safety check at their home,” said Fergusson. “The barriers to list online are very easy and someone who is running a bed and breakfast has more stringent controls.”
Operators of bed and breakfasts in Powell River must hold a valid business licence. Accommodations must be a maximum of four bedrooms for up to eight people and no cooking facilities are allowed. The maximum length of stay is 60 calendar days per year.
