The City of Kelowna will not be able to ask for exemptions from the province’s short-term rental legislation.
A report going to council Monday (Feb. 5) says it originally appeared that there may be the ability for local government to request site-by-site exemptions.
However, further research by staff has found this not the case.
“This leaves building owners/operators the option to pursue the exemptions based on the accommodation types… with the provincial government,” the report adds.
Communities with a population over 10,000 (2021 Census) and a rental vacancy rate of three per cent or more for each of the two previous years can opt out of the legislation.
The staff report says Kelowna does not currently meet those terms.
Provincial legislation defines short-term rentals as any accommodation provided to the public for less than 90 consecutive days and restricts them to a homeowner’s principal residence.
It comes into effect on May 1.
Kelowna’s bylaw, passed by council on Jan. 15, is more restrictive, less than 30 days, banning short-term rentals as a principal or secondary land use in mixed-use and residential zones with few exceptions.
There are 498 currently licenced secondary use short-term rentals in the city and they will be allowed to continue operating even after May 1, with a ‘legally non-conforming’ status, provided they meet provincial principal residence requirements.
READ MORE: Kelowna council passes short-term rental bylaw in 4-3 vote