New Short-Term Rental Exemptions Needed in B.C. to Support Tourism, Film, and Healthcare Sectors
The BC Real Estate Association (BCREA) is urging the provincial government to revise its Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act to better balance housing affordability with the economic needs of tourism, the film industry, and healthcare sectors. While the legislation aims to increase long-term rental availability by restricting short-term rentals like Airbnb, it has had unintended negative effects on local economies especially in communities reliant on seasonal visitors and specialized industries.
BCREA highlights that current regulations are too rigid, particularly the requirement that local long-term rental vacancy rates exceed three percent for short-term rental exemptions. This threshold does not reflect realities in places like Parksville and Prince George, where vacancy rates remain low despite high demand for temporary accommodations.
The association calls for targeted exemptions, including broad allowances for the film industry, which requires flexible housing for large production crews in areas where hotel capacity is limited. They also recommend giving municipalities more control to designate zones for short-term rentals based on local needs, rather than strict provincial criteria.
Additionally, BCREA proposes full exemptions for strata hotels and fractional ownership properties, common in B.C.’s Interior, which are designed for short-term stays and often cannot serve as long-term rentals. Another key recommendation is creating geographic exemptions near major hospitals to support temporary healthcare workers and patients who rely on short-term rentals due to limited alternative accommodations.
Ultimately, BCREA advocates for a more nuanced, flexible policy framework that maintains the original intent of protecting long-term housing but also supports vital economic sectors. With summer tourism and industry activity expected to increase, these changes are seen as essential for balancing housing affordability with economic growth and community well-being across British Columbia.
