West Kelowna's short-term rental changes sent to public hearing

West Kelowna City Council has sent proposed zoning bylaw amendments for short-term rental (STR) regulations to public hearing.

During the Tuesday evening meeting, council gave first and second reading to the changes.

The changes are in response to legislation introduced by the province in October 2023 in an effort to create more long-term housing options.

The new provincial mandates require STRs in municipalities with a population of more than 10,000 to be offered only in a principal residence.

The government will also be creating a new provincial registry and a STR compliance and enforcement unit.

West Kelowna’s STR bylaw amendments include:

• merging the Bed and Breakfast regulations within the current short-term accommodation (STA) regulations

• incorporating the STA fee structure for Bed and Breakfasts

• revising principal operator requirements to require the operator to be residing in the home when operating a STR

• requiring the new provincial registration number for short-term rentals when in effect

• requiring a safety inspection for all STR

“The current Bed and Breakfast regulations to the new section of Short-Term Rental and Short-Term Rental (Bed and Breakfast),” a staff report says.

However, the existing regulations will be maintained with amendments made to clarify the definition, fee structure and operator attendance.

Those proposed changes will be subject to the public hearing.

Council has also given first, second and third readings to related and required bylaw amendments for business licensing, bylaw enforcement, ticketing and fees and charges.

Additionally, West Kelowna council agreed to opt out of the principal residency requirements for purpose-built tourism and resort developments like Barona Beach, Boucherie Beach, Paradise Estates, The Cove Lakeside Resort and Casa Loma Resort.

However, outside of those tourism and resort commercial areas, principal residency requirements will still apply for STRS in all zones across West Kelowna.

The next evening meeting, which is usually accompanied by a public hearing, is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar. 23 at 6 pm.