Short-Term Rentals in Area "F"

A public hearing was held on September 4 regarding OCP and Zoning amendments related to short-term rental regulations. Rather than a 'public hearing', it turned into a lengthy 'Q&A'. As such, the Chair deferred the public hearing to this Thursday's Board Meeting, scheduled for September 18 at 9:00 a.m. There is also a 'Question and Answer Session' from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Short-term rentals are not as commonplace or as complex as they are in areas like Naramata and OK Falls. As such, opting in to the Province's principal residence requirement aims to:

1. Protect our communities from short-term rental investors who can no longer buy homes solely for short-term rentals in Summerland and Penticton.

2. Keep the bureaucracy as simple as possible for citizens who choose to occasionally rent their primary residence in Area "F" for short-term.

Short-Term Rentals in Area “F”

Right now, short-term rentals are not permitted in Area F unless approved through a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). In October 2023, the Province introduced the BC Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, which limits rentals to a principal residence (the home you live in most of the year). Area F chose to opt in to this rule.

What this means for Area F:

• Short-term rentals are only allowed in your primary residence.

• Short-term Rental business licences are not required in Area F.

• Short-term rentals of your primary home are permitted if you follow the bylaw (e.g., max two guests per room, parking rules, insurance).

• Hosts are not required to be on-site, but they should be available and respectful of their neighbours.

Why opt in? Since Penticton and Summerland already have the principal resident requirement in place, Area “F” opted in to the requirement to discourage investors from buying homes in Area F solely for short-term rental use.

The goal is to keep rules simple and avoid unnecessary regulation while protecting neighbourhoods. If stronger oversight proves necessary in the future, it can be implemented.

For more details, please see the Short Term Rental Project Page.