What is a short-term rental?

    A short-term rental is the rental of a home, or part of a home, for a short period of time (i.e., less than a month). A short-term rental is often done online, without any in-person interaction, and is mainly used by visitors/tourists.

    Short-term rentals are not new. People have been renting out their cottages and cabins for decades through classified ads, word of mouth and online buy and sell sites (i.e., Craigslist, Kijiji). What is new are online accommodation platforms (i.e., Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway, Flipkey, etc.). These platforms have made it possible for short-term rentals to expand and compete with traditional accommodation providers (i.e., hotels, motels, Bed and Breakfasts).

    Where are short-term rentals currently permitted in Chilliwack?

    Right now, residents can only use their homes as licensed Bed & Breakfasts. Bed & Breakfasts have been permitted in single detached homes in the City for over 40 years. They are regulated in the Zoning Bylaw, Bed & Breakfast Bylaw, and Business Licence Bylaw. Residents must obtain a business licence and meet all BC Building and Fire Code requirements.

    What are the proposed new changes to short-term rentals?

    We looked at what other cities have done and, based on this review, the City of Chilliwack is proposing to expand short-term rental regulations to permit short-term rentals on the “same lot” as someone’s principal dwelling unit (see "Background Tab" for more detail). In this scenario, the property owner or principle resident permanently lives on the property where the short-term rental is occurring.

    What could this potentially look like in Chilliwack? The property owner/principal resident could:

    1. Share their primary residence by renting out a room or multiple rooms in their home (i.e., Bed and Breakfast or lodging/boarding situation - with or without breakfast); or,
    2. Operate a short-term rental from a coach house, garden suite, or secondary suite, while living within the principal residence on the property (or vice versa).