Brentwood’s Development and Transportation Committee Update for January

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New Rules for Short Term Rentals

Submitted by Melanie Swailes on behalf of the Development and Transportation Committee

Do you operate a Short-Term Rental? If so, there are new rules that come into effect on January 1, 2024. For complete details, see the City of Calgary website at www.calgary.ca/STR. Effective January 1, if you rent out any home or portion of the home, you must have a valid Business Licence for the STR, regardless of how frequently or infrequently you rent out the unit.

How can you find out if a short-term rental has a valid license? There are about 5,700 STRs in Calgary. If they have a license, they will be on this map: https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Map-of-Short-Term-Rentals/xmzy-ebse. If a unit is not on the map, it might be a licensed “Bed and Breakfast”, which falls under a separate category. If it is an unregistered STR operating without a license, then complaints can be submitted to 3-1-1 (online, phone, text).

What is Defined as a Short-Term Rental?

Most people are familiar with Airbnb or VRBO. The City’s definition is “the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation, in a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit for periods of up to 30 consecutive days.” Note that an STR may be either a full dwelling (such as renting out a whole condo or house) or a portion of a dwelling (such as a basement or a room in your condo). Either way, new rules will apply.

Why are the New Rules Needed?

According to the City, these amendments aim to strike a balance between enabling the economic benefits for short-term rentals and minimizing the negative impacts on the community. The rules are intended to:

• Enhance safety of the STR unit

• Reduce negative impacts on the community

• Ensure greater accountability

What if I Have a Secondary Suite? Can I Use That as a STR?

Yes, but the host must have a short-term rental licence. The secondary suite must be fully compliant with all the bylaws and building codes for a secondary suite, including being on the registry.

What are the New Rules?

As of January 2024, you must have a valid business licence for the STR.

The requirements include:

• Licence inspector review

• Annual fire inspections done by Calgary Fire Department to ensure compliance with all life safety requirements

• Proof of insurance indicating the location is operating as a business

• Proof of ownership of the dwelling unit or written owner consent

• If in a condo, written proof from the condo board that short-term rentals are permitted

You must also include:

• A floor plan of the dwelling unit or portion of the dwelling unit offered, including:

o Dimensions of the rooms

o All rooms for rent, including all rooms offered as bedrooms or available for the purpose of sleeping (living rooms with a fold out couch for example)

o Location of all smoke alarms and fire extinguishers

o Location of fire exits

In addition, the following regulations apply:

• Maximum number of guests (no more than two adults per room)

• Overlapping bookings (the host cannot rent out separate rooms to separate guests under separate reservations)

• Advertising (the host must include the business license number in any advertising for the STR)

• Emergency contact information must be available

• A guest record must be kept for each transaction

What if a Host Does Not Comply with the Bylaws? Are There Fines for Non-Compliance?

The City’s approach is to achieve voluntary compliance for bylaws whenever possible. Failing to abide by the regulations can result in a $1,000 fine for each offense upon conviction.

If you rent out your home or part of your home, it’s up to you to get a license and learn the rules. The City website also has a ‘Good Host Guide’ and a ‘Good Guest Guide’ to provide knowledge on best practices. If you are a neighbour being impacted by an STR nearby, complaints should be submitted to 3-1-1 (online, phone, text).

If you are interested in community planning and redevelopment issues, we welcome new members to join us. We meet at 7:00 pm on the first Monday of every month in the Sportsplex Boardroom. Contact the BCA for more information at [email protected] or at 403-284-3477.

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