In response to the ongoing housing crisis, the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee authorizes annual proactive bylaw enforcement for Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs), which are potentially removing accommodation from the island’s long-term housing market.

In accordance with the Islands Trust policies regarding bylaw investigations and enforcement, enforcement actions are primarily triggered when the Islands Trust receives complaints from community members that indicate that individuals or corporations are not complying with the land use regulations. In August 2019, the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee (SSI LTC) initiated proactive enforcement measures when dealing with STVRs. Bylaw staff has since been actively reviewing and investigating online advertisements for STVRs and issuing fines for unlawful operations on an annual basis.

“Islands Trust has heard from the public about growing concerns over the impacts of STVRs on their lives and the community at large,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the SSI LTC. “In addition to the very real concerns that these unlawful STVRs are affecting the amount of long-term rental housing available for island residents, we’ve also heard about impacts on water resource use, noise disturbance in neighborhoods, and problems with traffic and parking from these operations.”

Official Community Plan policies are developed in consultation with island communities in an effort to protect the environment, cultural heritage, and the quality of life in the Trust Area. They are designed to maintain a balance between home businesses that accommodate sustainable tourism, while ensuring housing stock is available for local long-term rentals.

On Salt Spring, property owners are permitted to operate a bed and breakfast as a home-based business where the property owner lives in the dwelling, and breakfast meals are provided to guests who have been provided with overnight accommodation. Unlike a bed and breakfast use, short term vacation rentals are not a permitted use in any residential zones, and are considered unlawful, under section 3.13.6. of the Land Use Bylaw.

The Islands Trust Area is within treaty and territorial lands and waters of many First Nation governments, which may have their own requirements related to land use or applications. Engagement with First Nations may be required. Islands Trust land use policy supports greater protection of cultural heritage sites, ancestral resting places, and culturally significant areas.