Properties in Parksville designed for short-term vacation rentals will remain untouched and unaffected by pending provincial legislation, thanks for a new exception. (Google Streetview)

By Alex Rawnsley

short term rentals

‘Taken care of all of our concerns:’ legislation changes keep Parksville’s Resort Row in tact

Mar 27, 2024 | 4:15 PM

PARKSVILLE — It’s a huge sigh of relief for many of Oceanside’s tourist operators.

Changes announced Wednesday, March 27 to provincial legislation designed to limit short-term rentals and boost rental stock, now mean Parksville’s famous Resort Dr. can continue as it was conceived and designed…and tourist-focused accommodation.

Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW, he spoke with housing minister Ravi Kahlon Wednesday morning, with the City being granted exception under the new rules.

“It’s pretty well taken care of all of our concerns to tell you the truth. They will be allowing the exemption for short term rentals at the Resort Dr. properties that we had requested, the particular exemption for specific-built tourist accommodations.”

With the new rules set to come into effect next month, subject to government approvals, existing strata hotel or motel properties will be exempt from the legislation, if they meet one of two criteria.

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Either properties which provided accommodations, similar to a hotel or motel, before Dec. 8, 2023 with a staffed front desk, housekeeping and other services; or a property operating similar to a hotel or motel on a property zoned for such use, with appropriate rental management agreements in place.

For Parksville’s Resort Dr., it’s continued presence as tourist accommodations maintains not only a key part to the summer tourist season, but also a year-round economic boost.

“The Resort Dr. [properties] were developed and continue to be developed in that area to provide additional, short-term accommodations for our tourists,” O’Brien said. “But what that’s actually turned into, it took a four month summer season and turned it into a 12 month economy for the City of Parksville.”

He said many Canadians from the north and Prairie provinces “escape” the harsh winter in favour of Parksville’s more mild climate.

Their visits from October to March help maintain jobs in the service and trade industries for local residents.

O’Brien said it was comforting to see the appropriate changes and exemptions from the province, and to hear the news directly from the housing minister.

“I was very appreciative of Minister Kahlon’s call, and we were able to have a very good conversation regarding…how we ended up here. Both of us recognize being respectful of each other’s position and try to bring more information to the table was the way to go in this particular case.”

He added phone calls and emails can now be sent to tourism operators and visitors, letting them know summer vacations are going ahead.

“The only other issues now is to contact all of our owners and let them know that their accommodation they have booked for the next seven or eight months is safe and to tell them to come to Parksville and enjoy everything we have to offer.”

The Town of Qualicum Beach said earlier this month they’re opting to delayed some surveys and other actions until the full scope of the legislation was known.

However in many cases, the Town said their local bylaws were more restrictive than the new provincial guidelines and Council would consider broadening their own definitions moving forward.

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