The Town of Qualicum Beach is updating its bylaws to meet the province’s recent housing requirements.
The new provincial legislation is aimed at increasing housing availability and density across British Columbia and mandates changes to zoning and bylaws that impact housing density and short-term vacation rentals.
To implement Bill 35, Bill 44 and Bill 46, the town’s planning department is working to make the required revisions to the town’s current zoning.
The planning department is collaborating with a working group of local architects, planners, residential designers, developers and environmental experts, according to a news release.
Bill 35, the Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVR) Act, is set to take effect on May 1, marking a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for short-term rentals. Property owners will not be permitted to operate a STVR unless it is located on their primary residence. The operation may be in the primary residence, or in a secondary suite or accessory dwelling (laneway home, garden home etc.) on the owner’s principal residence.
The legislation establishes a new provincial role in regulating STVR while providing local governments with stronger enforcement tools. The primary goal of Bill 35 is to regulate short-term rentals, converting more units into long-term rentals.
The town’s existing zoning regulations are currently more restrictive than the province’s regulations and do not support STVR operations in residential zones, except for those designated as Bed-and-Breakfast establishments.
The release said that recognizing the need for STVR to support the tourism industry in Qualicum Beach, council will consider broadening the existing regulations to permit some primary residences as permissible STVRs. The town is not empowered to modify or exempt properties from the province’s stipulation that only owner-occupied residences can be used as STVRs.
Bills 44 and 46m - Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) – requires significant updates to the town’s current zoning bylaws to adjust for housing density. These updates must be completed prior to June 30.
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While the changes will allow for infill housing on single-family and duplex parcels, the released stated the town is working with policy tools to retain the character of Qualicum Beach neighbourhoods while still achieving the province’s housing objectives. The updated bylaws will be brought to council in early May and will include changes to permitted density, maximum height, minimum setbacks, parking requirements, parcel coverage and other land use controls.
As an impact of the provincial legislation, the town has delayed the Quality of Life Survey until late 2024, and the Official Community Plan (OCP) Review until 2025. The scope of the OCP review will also be affected. The province requires all municipalities to update their OCP and zoning bylaws with the mandated changes by Dec. 31, 2025. Until Council approval of the updated bylaws and zoning amendments, the town’s current policies remain in effect.
For updates from the town, visit qualicumbeach.com/housing_change or sign-up for enews updates.
— NEWS Staff