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District of Metchosin Short-Term Rentals - Business Licence Overview
The District of Metchosin recently changed its
Business Licence Bylaw to require licences for
properties that are being rented for terms of less
than 30 days (short-term rentals), as well as those
used for boarding. Requiring Business Licences is the
first step while Council considers whether further
changes or policies are needed to control short-term
rental use in the District. The following overview
provides information on the changes, and answers
some of the key questions. Further information is
available on the District's website or by contacting
the District directly.
What are short-term rentals?
Short-term rentals are dwellings and suites that are
rented for less than 30 days, and include those listed
on online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO.
What is boarding?
Boarding is rental of a room or rooms within a
dwelling to up to 4 boarders - persons other than
family members - in exchange for money. Boarding
is often an option to accommodate students, and is
combined with meals or other services, but rooms or
shared accommodations can also be posted on
online platforms such as AirBnB.
Where are short- term rentals permitted?
Short-term rentals are currently permitted in
dwellings throughout the District of Metchosin.
Can multiple families stay at one short-
term rental unit?
No. The District's bylaw only allows dwellings and
suites to be occupied by one family. Rentals are not
permitted to multiple families, and homes cannot be
used for events or gatherings like weddings.
Why are there new regulations?
The District is evaluating whether to limit or prohibit
short-term rentals. Business Licences will help the
District understand where short-term rentals are
being operated, and their impacts.
What are the new regulations?
New regulations require owners who are renting
their homes for short-terms to obtain a Business
Licence from the District. As part of the Business
Licence process, owners must provide a contact or
property manager that will be available 24/7 to
respond to any concerns on the property while it is
rented. A $500 security deposit is also required to
cover the costs of any complaint investigations.
Do I need a Business Licence to operate a
short-term rental?
Yes. Business Licences are mandatory for all short-
term rentals.
How do I apply for a Business Licence?
Business Licences for short-term rentals can be
applied for at any time, but all Business Licences
expire on October 31 of each year. Applications are
available at Metchosin Municipal Hall or online at
www.metchosin.ca/content/business-licences.
Business Licence applications require information
and a fee.
How much does a Business Licence cost?
Annual Business Licences for short-term rentals are
$35. The fee is the same for a bed and breakfast. A
$500 security deposit is also required.
What are the requirements for a Short-
term Rental Business Licence?
As part of the Licence process, an owner must:
Submit an application form, including all
mandatory documentation, the owner's
signature, the $35 fee and $500 deposit.
Provide the District with the name of a local
contact or property manager that can be
contacted 24/7 in the event of any concerns
from tenants, neighbours or the District.
Ensure the property manager's contact
information and Good Neighbour brochure are
distributed to all adjacent properties and to
tenants. (This can be done by delivering the
information in person to neighbours and
obtaining signatures acknowledging receipt, or
through registered mail to adjacent properties).
Once the application is complete and reviewed
by staff, the property will be inspected to ensure
compliance with District bylaws.
Sufficient on-site parking must be provided to
accommodate renters.
Short-term Rentals
An overview of Metchosin's business licence requirements
District of Metchosin Short-Term Rentals - Business Licence Overview
If the property is in compliance, a Business
Licence will be issued.
Once approved, a Business Licence number
must be included in all advertising, listings or
other promotional material (print, online or
otherwise) referencing the short-term rental of
the property.
I'm a renter, do these changes affect me?
Long-term renters are able to operate short-term
rentals in their residence, provided they have
permission from their landlord. Renters are subject
to all the same Business Licence provisions, but must
also ensure the use complies with their lease.
When will these changes come into effect?
The regulations take effect immediately; however,
the District wants to give notice to all property
owners in advance of the upcoming Business Licence
season. Business Licences are issued annually, and
commence on November 1 of each year and expire
on October 31. Owners can apply for a Business
Licence at any time during the year, but the rate
remains constant (i.e. the fee is the same regardless
of when owners apply). In other words, short-term
licences will be $35 and expire on October 31
regardless of when they are issued. All short-term
rental property listings after November 1, 2018 must
have the relevant Business Licence number quoted
in the listing to be in compliance.
Why are short-term rentals allowed in
Metchosin when they are not permitted in
other municipalities?
If Metchosin wants to prohibit short-term rental
uses it will need to amend the District's Land Use
Bylaw which establishes the permitted uses of in the
District. In many municipalities, the Zoning or Land
Use Bylaw already limits dwellings to residential uses
and does not permit short-term rentals. Metchosin's
Land Use Bylaw allows dwellings to be used by one
family, and does not prohibit short-term rentals.
Some municipalities are regulating short-term
rentals to maintain the availability of long-term
rental housing, whereas other municipalities allow
the use to encourage tourism, and as "mortgage
helpers" to ease the burden of high-cost housing.
Why did the District make these changes?
The District is concerned about the impact of short-
term rental uses on neighbouring residents. Some
vacationers have less regard or consideration for
neighbours and the surrounding community. The
District has a bylaw to deal with persons who are
being noisy or creating a disturbance in the
community, regardless of whether they are renters
or residents.
How do I encourage my short-term renters
to be good neighbours?
The District requires distribution of its Good
Neighbour Brochure to all short-term rental
properties and adjacent properties to foster
appreciation of the impacts that behavior, noise and
disturbances can have on the community, and to
raise awareness of the District's relevant bylaws and
avenues to register concerns. The brochure is
provided to licenced rentals and is available online.
The brochure reminds renters of the District's noise
bylaw, which states that no person shall:
make or cause or permit to be made or caused,
within the Municipality, any noise or sound
which disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet
peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience
of the neighbourhood or of persons in the
vicinity;
allow property of which he is the owner, tenant
or occupier of, to be used so that a noise or
sound which originates from that property
disturbs or tends to disturb the quiet peace, rest
enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of the
neighbourhood or of persons in the vicinity; or
cause or permit any amplified music or
amplified speech which disturbs or tends to
disturb the quiet peace, rest enjoyment,
comfort, or convenience of the neighbourhood
or of persons in the vicinity.
Ensuring your renters know the bylaws, and respect
the surrounding community, is critical to the success
of a short-term rental business. Renting to good
tenants, and communicating our local regulations,
will help foster positive neighbour relations, and
minimize complaints. The District also encourages
short-term rental business owners to communicate
and work together with their neighbours to
understand and resolve any concerns.
Where can I get more information?
Check out the District's website at
www.metchosin.ca or contact the District at
(250) 474-3167.