District of Squamish is moving towards regulating short-term rentals in the community.
At an upcoming council meeting, the bylaw that will regulate the rentals such as Airbnb is expected to pass first reading.
Staff is recommending the most restrictive option, which would allow short-term rentals only in the principal residence, and not in the basement suite or in the coach house.
District is going with the most restrictive option so there can be more long-term rentals available in the community.
There are also changes to fees district will charge and the minimum parking requirements for short-term rentals.
After a grace period of three months, enforcement will start, first with warning letters and then fines.
Under the most restrictive option, a principal resident can rent out rooms in their home while they are present, or rent out the entire home while they are away for work or vacation, as long as as they are living in the home for at least five months a year.
Secondary suites and coach homes won’t be allowed, even if the unit is being used as a principal residence. District staff say they would like to emphasise that the most restrictive option is to protect the existing supply of 740 suites and coach houses.
However, the district may in the future be open to spot rezoning or may allow people to apply for a temporary permit for those who want to rent out their suite or coach as a short-term rental.
A new fees structure is also being proposed. The monthly licence for shared or private room would be $50, and annual licence would cost $300.
The monthly licence for those who want to rent their entire home would be $150, while the annual licence fees would be $900.
If in the future district does allow short term rentals in suites or coach homes, the fee would be $3,000 per year.
As for parking, one space for every two bedrooms will need to be provided for short-term rentals, to a maximum of three spaces. There is no such parking requirement for a triplex, fourplex, townhouse or apartment building.
Enforcement would be expected to begin in 2021, after a three-month grace period for existing bookings would be over. District will issue warning letters before issuing fines and will also use a third-party service to search and identify listings online.
Staff will keep tracking the changes brought by the bylaw and report to council in the fall of 2021.
