The City of Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 new rules for short-term rental accommodation will kick in April 23.

The rules, adopted by city council Monday, will allow eligible property owners to start applying for the long-awaited required business licences.

Under the new rules, a homeowner or primary resident can legally rent their principal residence for up to 29 days at a time. Select tourist areas will continue to allow short-term rentals in properties that are not the owner91裸聊视频檚 principal residence.

READ MORE: Kelowna council moves ahead with regulations for short-term rentals, with a caveat

Council will consider a separate bylaw regulating short-term rentals in secondary suites and carriage houses later this spring.

91裸聊视频淭hose wishing to rent their home on a short-term basis are encouraged to obtain a business licence by July 1,91裸聊视频� said Greg Wise, business licence manager with the city. 91裸聊视频淎fter this two-month window, operators found to be listing a property without a business licence, or in violation of associated regulations, will be expected to comply.91裸聊视频�

According to the city, short-term rental accommodation numbers have significantly increased in the city over the past several years. Between 2017 to 2018 alone, the number of unique short-term rental listings in Kelowna increased 69 per cent, from 1,172 to 1,979.

91裸聊视频淎 short-term rental accommodation is essentially a home business that operates similar to a hotel or a bed and breakfast 91裸聊视频� both of which follow their own set of regulations,91裸聊视频� said Wise. 91裸聊视频淎pplying similar rules to short-term rental operators supports consistency within Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 accommodation industry.91裸聊视频�

The regulations were developed after the city gathered public and stakeholder input. A public survey in 2017 received more than 2,600 responses providing initial input. Last year, the city invited several stakeholders91裸聊视频攊ncluding the tourism and accommodation industry, business and neighbourhood associations, the development industry, short-term rental platforms, its Healthy Housing Advisory committee and interested residents91裸聊视频攖o review and comment on the proposed regulations.

Wise said the new regulations reflect the diverse community needs and interests with the aim of protecting long-term rentals, limiting the impact on neighbourhoods and ensuring equity among all accommodation providers.

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