Short-Term Rentals

New bylaws to allow and regulate short-term rentals in Kelowna were adopted by Council on Monday. With the new bylaw in effect, operators can apply for their business licence starting Tuesday, April 23.

Under the new rules, a homeowner or primary resident can legally rent their principal residence for periods of 29 days or less. Select tourist areas will continue to allow short-term rentals outside of an operator’s principal residence. Council will consider a separate bylaw regulating short-term rentals in secondary suites and carriage houses later this spring.

Guiding Principles

In summer 2018, Council endorsed the following guiding principles for short-term rentals:

1. Ensure short-term rental accommodations do not impact the long-term rental housing supply in a negative way.
2. Ensure short-term rental accommodations are good neighbours.
3. Ensure equity among short-term accommodation providers.

Draft regulation development process

We prepared proposed regulations based on the guiding principles and in consultation with stakeholders. The proposed regulations aim to balance the interest in having short-term rentals in our community with measures that protect long-term rentals and limit impacts on neighbouring properties and uses.

Council considered the proposed bylaws for short-term rentals on Feb. 25 and March 4, 2019, and the bylaws were considered during a public hearing on March 12. At the public hearing, Council gave second and third reading to the bylaw amendment and directed staff to prepare a text amendment to Zoning Bylaw No. 8000 to permit short term rental accommodations in secondary suites and carriage houses, which will be considered by Council at a later date.

It is expected that the regulations will be implemented by mid-April 2019, at which time operators can then apply for a business licence.