I spoke with Stephanie Pawluk at the CVRD on January 24th regarding the Short Term Rental Restrictions and how they affect Mount Washington. At this point, Mount Washington (and all other Ski Resorts in BC) are exempt from the principle residence requirement but not the zoning requirement. So, after a brief analysis it was determined that Bear Lodge and Deer Lodge are the only properties on the mountain that currently allow short term rentals without rezoning or using a temporary use permit. That said, options are being reviewed and presented to CVRD decision makers for the unique situation of Mount Washington. Read to the end.
Please view the email response from Stephanie (250-334-6006 or email planning@comoxvalleyrd.ca).
Hi Ryan,
The Resort Accommodation (RA) districts within the Mt. Washington Comprehensive Development Zone only allow for “residential use”. Therefore, “tourist accommodation” is not permitted. Section 200 of the Zoning Bylaw has the definitions of all these terms.
As it stands, the options to pursue legalizing a short term rental include 1. A temporary use permit or 2. A rezoning.
A temporary use permit (TUP) is an application to allow for a use of land, on a temporary basis, not otherwise permitted in the Zoning Bylaw. The maximum allowable timeline is 3 years, with an opportunity for one extension (so a maximum of 6 years), as per the BC Local Government Act. The application is considered by the Advisory Planning Commission, Electoral Area Services Committee and the Board of Directors. Feedback will be solicited from adjacent property owners by the CVRD prior to the Electoral Area Services Committee meeting. The application cost for a TUP is $1,500.
To submit this application, an applicant must supply the following documents:
- Pre-Application Consultation Request Form
- Completed application form
- Land title: CVRD staff will pull the land title for you
- Written statement explaining the temporary nature of the proposal, a rationale for the requested duration, any alterations to land, buildings, or structures, any expected phases that will change the intensity or scale of the use, and the condition of land expected following the expiration of the permit
One can submit an application for a rezoning to propose a change to the land use of a property. For example, you could potentially apply for a zone exception to the current zoning of the property to permit one tourist accommodation unit. A rezoning application involves referral to the Advisory Planning Commission, referrals to external agencies, soliciting feedback from adjacent property owners by the CVRD, a public hearing, and four readings of the proposed bylaw by the CVRD Board. The application cost for a rezoning pertaining to a zone exception is $2,000.
To submit this application, an applicant must supply the following documents:
- Pre-Application Consultation Request Form
- Completed application form
- Land title: CVRD staff will pull the land title for you
- Proposal including any applicable professional reports and site plans: an applicant can hire a surveyor or other professional to create the reports/site plans that are required.
Please note however, that the CVRD is currently contemplating options for short term rentals on Mt. Washington, given its unique tourism-focussed context.
Please keep an eye on the Electoral Areas Services Committee Meeting agendas, as I believe we are anticipating a forthcoming staff report regarding tourist accommodation on Mount Washington later in February.
Best,
Stephanie Pawluk, MCIP, RPP (she/her)
