Salt Spring Accommodation Group

As today marks the final day to complete the Islands Trust / CRD OCP & Land Use Bylaw survey, the Salt Spring Accommodation Group (SSAG) is encouraging all residents to make their voices heard — especially on the topic of short-term rentals (STRs). The OCP survey will influence how Salt Spring Island regulates STRs going forward. It’s important that all perspectives are represented, including those of local residents who host responsibly, rely on modest STR income, or manage seasonal cottages and home-based accommodations. Before completing the survey, SSAG encourages residents to consider: Are STRs responsible for housing loss, or are they part of a balanced, mixed economy that includes commercial accommodations, B&Bs, and guest cottages? Do hotels alone meet peak visitor demand, or do STRs play a key role in weddings, family travel, and rural stays? Should small-scale, resident-led STRs be protected, especially those tied to a principal residence or zoned as …