The City of White Rock has taken its first steps in bringing secondary suite and short-term rental regulations in line with provincially mandated housing policy.
At its March 25 meeting, council voted unanimously to give first, second and third readings to two zoning amendment bylaws necessitated by provincial government bills which come into effect this spring.
A corporate report from planning and development services director Anne Berry explained that Bill 35, which comes into effect on May 1, defines short-term rentals in the province as 90 days or less.
The city, in keeping with provincial direction, is also waiving public hearing requirements for the short-term rental amendment.
Bill 44, which comes into effect June 30, establishes secondary suites or accessory dwelling units as a permitted use on all single lots, province-wide, Berry added.
As a result all former city restrictions on secondary suites and accessory dwelling units are being removed.
“Just so it’s perfectly clear, here – this is mandated by the province,” Mayor Megan Knight commented.
“It’s not council changing this, it’s the province changing this.”
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Under the provincial directive, a short-term rental must be in the owner’s principal residence, as a secondary suite, or other accessory dwelling unit on the same property such as a basement suite or laneway home.
The defined 90 day period for short-term rentals actually broadens the length of time permitted in White Rock, which was previously limited to 30 days or less.
While stronger limitations would still be allowed for the city, Berry explained that it was considered advisable to align with the overall provincial parameters “to provide for ease of enforcement and community expectations.”
The other amendment bylaw removes limitations to four city residential zone categories that previously prohibited secondary suites.
However, Berry noted, there are a few exceptions to the blanket permission of suites and accessory dwelling units.
Some conditions remain for accessory dwelling units on lots without municipal sewer service, while some covenants prohibiting secondary suites that predated the provincial legislation will still remain in force, she said.