City seeks input on short-term rental rules

The City of Saskatoon wants your input on how to deal with changes to the short-term accommodation industry brought on by technology.

City officials are reviewing the bylaw that governs short-term accommodations like bed and breakfasts, but does not include online-based rentals like Airbnb and VRBO.

The city has struggled to find a balance between the traditional rental rooms inside residential dwellings and the ones that are offered online and mostly elude regulations.

Bed and breakfast owners must be approved by city council and obtain a business licence. Bed and breakfasts also face limits on size, parking and are prohibited from serving more than one meal per day.

A search of the Airbnb website Friday without specifying a date showed 306 properties being offered for rental in Saskatoon, ranging from rooms to entire houses.

In December of 2015, city council’s planning, development and community services committee approved exploring the possibility of business licences for those who offer properties online for shortterm rental.

Saskatoon residents are invited to complete the city’s online survey at shapingsaskatoon.ca/projects. The survey will be active until Oct. 26.

The city is also hosting an open house at the downtown Frances Morrison Library on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.