Victoria city staff are recommending a number of measures to tighten regulations for short-term rentals on websites like Airbnb.
A new report recommends the city adopt a regulatory framework that would require operators to obtain a business licence in order to run a short-term rental.
In order to obtain a licence, operators will have to file an application form with the city and pay a fee ranging from $200 to $2,500 depending on the type of rental it is.
The report says the proposed fees are in line with other cities, but are “substantially higher” for commercial properties.
Operators would also have to include the business licence number in any rental listings.
Under a zoning bylaw change, short-term rentals of entire suites would also be banned at “investment properties, commercial operations and housing including apartments, secondary and garden suites that are not principally occupied by a long-term resident.”
The report says the more restrictive regulations are meant to retain long-term rental stock in a city with one of the lowest rental vacancy rates (0.5 per cent) in Canada.
If the measures are approved, city staff will then be directed to engage with stakeholders including neighbourhood, tourism and housing associations to refine the proposed regulations.
City councillors have previously said their goal isn’t to stop homeowners from being able to rent out otherwise-vacant rooms in their homes, but to prevent condo or rental units from being used as short-term rentals.
The proposed regulatory framework goes before the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.
