A public hearing on recommended changes to Kelownaѻýs short-term rental zoning bylaw could see a packed house on Nov. 21.
The city will be starting that hearing earlier than usual, at 3 p.m.
ѻýWe are inviting public comment so that council can understand the impacts of the changes being proposed specific to Kelowna, before coming to a decision,ѻý said Ryan Smith, director of planning and development. ѻýAt the same time, we know short-term rentals are having a negative impact on housing availability and affordability across the country ѻý and that more regulatory changes are expected from the province as a result.ѻý
A media release from the city says that ѻýwhile the provincial government has also made recent announcements that may affect short-term rental operation in B.C., the legislative changes by the province are not under consideration at Tuesdayѻýs hearing.ѻý
It will only focus on proposed changes to the City of Kelownaѻýs zoning bylaw to remove short-term rental accommodation as a permitted secondary use.
ѻýOur data shows that as many as 50 per cent of the approximately 2,400 short-term rentals currently listed in Kelowna are operating illegally,ѻý said Smith.
If the proposed changes are approved by council, any properties with valid secondary use short-term rental accommodation business licences would be permitted to continue operating.
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