91Ƶ

Skip to content

Kelowna city council looks to crack down on short-term rentals

91ƵI feel like we have a real crisis on our hands91Ƶ
33262306_web1_Kelowna-2
Kelowna city staff will be looking at dfferent ways to deal with the short-term rental crisis. (Black Press file photo)

With the summer tourist season in full swing, the issue of the number of short-term rental properties in Kelowna has once again come to the table.

It was April 2019, when city staff adopted the current bylaw regulations, with a plan to review them after two tourist seasons. The discussion was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a report was eventually brought to council at their regular July 10 meeting of this year.

Multiple options were laid out in the report for council to consider, ranging from minor adjustments such as prohibiting short-term rentals from operating on properties with a rental-only subzone, to major changes such as banning them altogether.

Most of council seemed to favour a hybrid of a few of the different options, with multiple councillors raising concerns that short-term rentals are disrupting neighbours.

91ƵWe91Ƶve had some compelling letters from people who have had their lives turned topsy-turvey, upside down by disrespectful renters,91Ƶ said Coun. Mohini Singh.

Coun. Luke Stack added that he finds that most complaints are from larger home rentals, with three bedrooms or more, where it could be used as a getaway to party.

91ƵIt can be out of control for days.91Ƶ

Council seemed to agree with one specific option, which was raising penalties and fines for those that do not abide by the regulations, as well as for illegally-operated rental properties.

The report said that staff believe that illegally operating short-term rentals will always exist and will require enforcement, regardless of regulations.

91ƵI feel like we have a real crisis on our hands,91Ƶ said Coun. Gord Lovegrove.

Coun. Maxine DeHart and Coun. Loyal Wooldridge both recused themselves due to a conflict of interest.

After hearing the council91Ƶs comments, staff will come back in the fall with recommendations.

READ MORE: Kelowna council keeps Pandosy house heritage designation

READ MORE: Buy local urges BC Tree Fruits, as U.S. cherries flood market



Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.



Jake Courtepatte

About the Author: Jake Courtepatte

Editor of 91Ƶ & West K News since February 2022. I have spent the majority of my career working in the Toronto area as both a sports reporter and a general reporter.
Read more



(or

91Ƶ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }