Tofino cracks down on illegal vacation rentals
One of Vancouver Island's hottest tourism destinations is raising concerns about illegal short-term rentals, saying the businesses take much-needed housing away from locals.
The District of Tofino says won a B.C. Supreme Court case against a condo owner who operated a short-term rental, despite the South Chesterman Beach Homes property not being zoned for it.
Tofino Mayor Dan Law says the city was patient in enforcing the rules before taking action.
“We start with voluntary compliance – we have issued tickets. And when that doesn’t garner compliance, we go to the Supreme Court for an injunction,” Law said.
The South Chesterman Beach Homes development has never allowed tourist accommodations like Airbnbs, nor has it received business licences to operate them.
While Tofino has more than 200 legal short-term rentals, the district says it still struggles with those skirting its bylaw.
"The vast majority of short-term business rentals in Tofino have a business licence and are compliant,” the mayor said. “There’s maybe 10 per cent, or something like that, that aren’t.”
Law says the short-term rental rules are part of a plan to improve the amount of housing for people who live in the district.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.