The City of Nanaimo is clarifying some rules surrounding the use of short-term rentals, ensuring those who operate the sites and those who use them are in compliance. (File photo)

By Jordan Davidson

short-term rentals

Nanaimo clarifies regulations for short-term rental users and operators

Nov 24, 2024 | 5:21 AM

NANAIMO — The City is clarifying some regulations around short-term rentals in the Harbour City, ensuring both those who offer and use the service are following the rules.

Amendments include clarifying where a single short-term rental unit is allowed, ensuring operators have a business licence and are the primary residents, and only allowing a maximum of four adults regardless of where they’re located.

Counc. Sheryl Armstrong was the lone vote against the passing of the first two readings, taking issue with a cap of four adult guests allowed per short-term rental.

“It’s not done in hotels, it’s not done in other places, it really hurts intergenerational families and those from other cultures who do travel with both sets of parents, which takes you up to six right away. I think it’s putting a hardship on a lot of people and I don’t see the rationale as to why we would start to number how many people can stay in a place.”

City community planner Kasia Beigun said originally the limit was based on the number of bedrooms allowed at a short-term rental, but going by the number of people is much easier to enforce.

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“Currently the way the regulations are drafted in our zoning bylaw, we allow either six or four adults, but it depends on the zoning. The decision is to move away from regulating based on zoning, and simply regulation based on entire dwelling unit, versus bedrooms.”

A limit of four people is intended to avoid short-term rentals turning into a “party environment” and reduce the parking impact on the neighbourhood, especially as apartment units can be listed.

Beigun said these regulations will be reviewed again in a year, where they will consider increasing the number of adults to six.

Those under the age of 19 are not included in this limit.

Other amendments related to operating short-term rentals include not advertising their listing without a business license, posting the license in the guest room, and displaying the license in the advertisement.

The first and second readings of the proposed zoning bylaw changes were approved with Counc. Armstrong the long vote against, and will proceed to the public hearing stage prior to the third reading.

An amendment to the business license bylaw, which clarifies regulations and increases the fine for violating the short-term rental rules from $250 to $500, was passed unanimously.

Any changes would come into effect starting Jan 1, 2025.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNOW