The District is reviewing its approach to regulating short‑term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO, and is seeking input from the community to help inform future Council decisions.
What is a Short-Term Rental?
Short-term rentals are the rental of a residential home – or one or more rooms within it – for a short period of time. Short-term rentals are different from traditional Bed & Breakfasts because they usually involve the rental of an entire home and the host often isn't there.
Regulation Considerations:
There are several community impacts to consider when regulating short-term rentals. On one hand, short-term rentals can decrease housing supply and affordability, change neighbourhood character, and/or cause concerns related to noise, parking, and garbage. On the other hand, they can provide temporary accommodation for non-resident workers and visitors with different options, such as units with kitchens etc., and provide revenue generation opportunities for residents where long-term rental opportunities might not be possible. Like many communities across British Columbia, Mackenzie is considering how to balance these impacts in a way that reflects local priorities.
Community Input:
As a first step, we’d like to better understand resident and business views on the potential impacts of short-term rentals. The survey below is focused on gathering the perspectives of Mackenzie residents. It asks questions about overall support for short‑term rentals, the importance of protecting long‑term housing, the role of principal residence requirements, where short‑term rentals should be allowed, and how they should be regulated if permitted.
Feedback from this survey will be used to:
- Understand the level of community support for short‑term rentals in Mackenzie
- Identify resident priorities related to housing, neighbourhood impacts, and tourism
- Help guide the development of potential short‑term rental regulations or bylaw changes
All responses are anonymous and will be reported in summary form only. The summarized results will be shared with Council and the community as part of the District’s decision‑making process.
