Advocacy

Unlocking Flexibility

Rethinking Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations in British Columbia's Interior

This report offers a series of policy recommendations aimed to improve the regulatory framework for Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in British Columbia’s Interior. It highlights the need for updated regulations to better accommodate the evolving housing market, support community development and well-being, and ensure balanced economic opportunities for property owners and local residents.

The report provides four key recommendations:

1.) Return Zoning Autonomy to Local Governments
The province should permit municipalities to formally designate tourism zones, areas within communities that are exempt from the principal residence requirement based on local municipal needs and land-use planning.
 
2.) Enable STR Flexibility Near Essential Worksites
To reduce risk of healthcare and essential service disruptions to regions that depend on temporary workers, the province should allow exemptions or flexible provisions under its STR legislation. These provisions should specifically support the use of STRs for essential workers near critical worksites, specifically in regions with limited rental supply or hotel infrastructure.
 
3.) Align STR Regulations with Seasonal Tourism Needs
To continue supporting tourism-dependent economies, the province should significantly shorten the implementation timelines for municipalities that meet the criteria for a principal residence opt-out exemption, allowing exemptions to take effect immediately upon approval.
 
4.) Expand the Strata Hotel and Fractional Ownership Exemption
The province should update its strata hotel and fractional ownership regulations to exempt purpose-built STR properties and allow them to operate as originally intended.

Breaking Down Barriers

Pathways to Modernizing Municipal Property Information in the British Columbia (B.C.) Interior. This report takes a comprehensive look at the various barriers hindering efficient access to property data REALTORS® and their clients rely on. 

The report makes 7 recommendations (3 provincial and 4 municipal) to modernize and improve access to these vitally important documents and enhance consumer protection across the interior.  

At the Provincial level, we recommend the following actions:
 
1. Create a Municipal Records Modernization Fund: Allocate funding to enhance staffing resources and infrastructure for digital systems, coupled with a provincial audit of regulations hindering digital adoption. 

2. Conduct a review of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA): Conduct a review of municipal FOIPPA processes and improve systems through technology implementation, standardization, and streamlining. 

3. Develop a Provincial Zoning Atlas for Open Provision of Public Data: Develop a provincial zoning atlas to provide open access to public data, promoting transparency and accessibility. 
 

At the Municipal level, we recommend the following actions:  

1. Move to Electronic Payment Systems: Offer convenient online payment options for property information requests to enhance customer service and modernize internal processes. 

2. Enhance Digital Property Information Request Application Interfaces: Embed property information request applications into municipal websites to streamline processes and enhance accessibility. 

3. Create Property Information Request Guidance: Create user-friendly landing pages outlining consent requirements, FOIPPA laws, costs, and other details to streamline processes and enhance transparency. 

4. Enable Online Application Tracking: 
Implement online tracking systems for property information requests to provide real-time updates on application status and enhance efficiency. 

A Better Way Home

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), with support from the province’s eight real estate boards and 24,000 REALTORS®, has presented a white paper, called A Better Way Home: Strengthening Consumer Protections in Real Estate, to the BC government with sweeping recommendations on creating more housing options for British Columbians, improving affordability and better protecting consumers in real estate transactions.

Read A Better Way Home: Strengthening Consumer Protections in Real Estate here.

Summary of the key recommendations can be found here.

If you are a home buyer or seller with questions about the recommendations, please contact [email protected].