On October 24, the City of Vancouver will hold a public hearing on the contentious issue
Vancouver residents will have the chance to voice their opinion on the City’s regulation of short-term rentals at a public hearing on October 24, according to the City of Vancouver website.
In July, the City passed strict regulations banning the short-term rental of secondary homes, suites and laneway homes, causing backlash from locals. Currently, thousands of Vancouver residents rent out spare bedrooms or entire homes on sites like AirBnB, a practice that is technically illegal under City bylaws. This has caused advocacy group Fairbnb to urge the City to make the AirBnB accoutable to local bylaws.
Provincial housing minister Selina Robinson saidthat both city and provincial governments are looking to make changes to the regulations of short-term rental properties, according to a Global News BC report.
“It’s not unique to Vancouver,” Robinson told media. “We’re certainly seeing it in other communities, like Tofino and other tourist destinations. And that’s something our government is committed to looking at. We’re developing a comprehensive housing strategy and you’ll start to see an implementation of that strategy in February.”
City of Vancouver staff expect its short-term rental regulations to be implemented by April 2018.
