Short Term Rental Compliance Hotline in Place

The Regional District of East Kootenay has put a Short Term Rental Compliance Hotline in place for residents to report non-compliant operations.

“The new hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes both an option to report by phone and online,” explains RDEK Planner II Justin Cook. “The hotline should be used for any issues related to STRs including non-permitted operations, nuisance and noise complaints, guest behaviour issues, or violations of an issued permit.”

The STR hotline is for any issues related to STR operation within the RDEK’s six Electoral Areas and does not apply to STRs within incorporated municipalities
• Hotline phone number – (778) 718-8545
• Hotline link for online complaints

The system uses a logging and tracking system and Cook says it is an important tool in the RDEK’s toolbox. “Having a mechanism in place that not allows 24 hour a day access for residents to make a report but that also brings together the tracking system for complaints is so important. We have been working to get this service in place for several months, and we are excited to be able to see it fully up and running.”

In addition to the launch of the hotline, the RDEK has engaged a contractor to assist with identification and communication with non-compliant STR operators and property owners. Any STR operators who have not applied for the required STR Temporary Use Permit are encouraged to do so immediately. Starting January 1, 2025, the application fees for delegated applications, will increase from $1000 to $1,500, while non-delegated applications will increase from $2000 to $3000.

Included in recent amendments to the RDEK’s STR Temporary Use Permit Policy was a maximum of 10 people per parcel for staff-delegated applications. In addition, the RDEK Board moved to have future Official Community Plan processes consider zoning changes to identify areas for STRs and added the implementation of business licencing to its 2024/2025 Priority Projects Plan.

More information is available on the Short-Term Rentals page on www.rdek.bc.ca.