Tofino reversing decision to participate in B.C.’s short-term rental regulations

The District of Tofino is hoping to re-exempt itself from provincial short-term rental regulations that would have put restrictions on homeowners renting out their properties via platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

The Vancouver Island town wasn’t originally part of the legislation first put forward by the provincial government last year that restricts short-term rentals only to rooms or secondary suites in a person’s principal residence — and requires legal short-term rentals to put themselves on a government registry.

But Tofino council decided to opt into the new rules in an attempt to combat the popular vacation town’s housing crisis.

Communities not included in the principal residence requirement are allowed to opt in or out of the legislation yearly on March 31. If they decide to change their regulations, the changes take effect on Nov. 1 each year to allow owners and short-term rental platforms time to adjust to the changes.

Now the council says it’s having second thoughts based on feedback from community members.

Mayor Dan Law says council has heard persistent concerns about the legislation — including from tenants who say their landlords are pressuring them to sign up as hosts on Airbnb or VRBO even though they don’t want to.

“Some councillors saw that as too much, and heard from some tenants who were feeling pressured to be the host — and they didn’t want to be. They certainly got pressure from those community members who have investment short-term rentals,” said Law.

He says the regulations have not yet shown to have a big impact on tourism, but council also noted that the changes come amid increasing uncertainty for businesses and the economy with the trade war.

The province’s legislation came into effect last May, and government has credited it already with returning thousands of units to the long-term rental market — along with bringing rental prices down.

In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said he understands that Tofino is trying to do what’s best for the town.

“Tofino, and other tourism-dependent communities, were not included in the principal residence requirement when it was introduced last year,” Kahlon said.

“We’re committed to working with local governments to make sure they have the tools they need to house people.”