The Regional District East Kootenays application intake for Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits is open and is not currently affected by new proposed STR regulations announced by the Province.
The B.C. government introduced legislation on Oct. 16 that targets the expansion of short-term rentals.
The RDEK’s new permitting process was introduced earlier this year and RDEK staff have been working to establish the procedures and implement the application process, which opened October 1st. “We know there are many questions about the new permit requirement and the specifics of how to apply, and with the announcement by the Province on new Short Term Rental legislation, many people may be wondering if this will affect our permit requirement,” says RDEK Planner Justin Cook. “While the pending provincial legislation offers new regulatory and enforcement opportunities for local governments, further review is needed to determine how the RDEK can best utilize the proposed tools. Ensuring that short term rental uses conform to zoning regulations remains a top priority, and the new short-term rental temporary use permit process is not impacted at this time”.
The first step for anyone wondering if they need to apply for a permit is to confirm how their property is zoned. “They can access this information through the mapping and zoning & land use bylaws pages on our RDEK website, and we are always happy to connect with people in person or over the phone to check their zoning and guide them through the process,” adds Cook.
A new Short-Term Rentals page has been set up on www.rdek.bc.ca and is linked off the main page in the Current Projects section. The page includes an overview of the application procedures, information on how to confirm the zoning on your property, a copy of the application form, and a series of frequently asked questions. “We anticipate adding more FAQs as we move through this new phase of implementation and will continue to provide ongoing updates with regard to any impacts and potential future changes,” says Cook.
The new permitting process applies only to specific zones within the RDEK’s six Electoral Areas. Residents of incorporated municipalities are encouraged to contact their municipal office to inquire about what regulations are in effect or being considered. For more information on the RDEK’s Short-Term Rental regulations, visit www.rdek.bc.ca or contact the Planning & Development Services Department.
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