West 麻豆精选 council has opted out of short-term rental legislation for certain areas of the city.
The areas include Seclusion Bay, Barona Beach, Boucherie Beach Cottages, Casa Loma, The Cove, Paradise Estates, and a yet-to-be-developed section of Seclusion Bay near Peachland.
鈥淭hey were never part of the short-term accommodation licencing program,鈥� Brent Magnan, director of development approvals, told council at its Tuesday (Feb. 26) meeting. 鈥淭hose areas were always intended as tourist accommodations.鈥�
Although new provincial legislation requires principal residency for short-term rental operators, certain criteria allow municipalities to opt out.
鈥淭he criteria being there is a vacancy rate of three per cent for (each of) the previous two years,鈥� Magnan explained.
West 麻豆精选鈥檚 vacancy rate was 4.2 per cent in 2023 and 3.4 per cent in 2022.
Coun. Rick de Jong raised concerns about dropping below three per cent in the future.
Staff told council that no matter what vacancy rates might be the city is 鈥渓ocked out鈥� until it chooses to opt back in.
鈥淚 will note that the legislation does not read that way,鈥� cautioned Magnan. 鈥淏ecause this is new legislation there is always a chance that things may change.
Council voted unanimously to opt out of the principal residence requirement for tourist accommodation zones.
Coun. Garrett Millsap recused himself from the discussion and vote due to a potential conflict of interest.
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