Survey finds little opposition to short-term vacation rentals

Lake Country mulls regulation of companies such as Airbnb, VRBO

Short-term vacation rentals such as those offered by Airbnb are OK with Lake Country residents, a public survey has found.

Most of the 334 people who responded to the online questionnaire favoured short-term rentals of primary or secondary residences.

“I think that result does fairly represent community opinion, because there are a lot of people who already rent out a suite as a mortgage helper,” Lake Country Mayor James Baker said Monday.

But support was expressed for the idea of licensing such vacation rentals so they operate on a level playing field with bed-and-breakfast operations.

Municipal staff propose a zoning amendment so most properties could be used as a short-term vacation rental, but for no longer than 60 days each year.

Staff also suggest town officials “negotiate” with vacation rental booking services such as Airbnb and VRBO to add a two per cent tax to all reservations, with the money transferred to the District of Lake Country.

This means the vacation rentals would be taxed at the same rate as hotel and motel units. The booking services should also be encouraged to obtain a Lake Country business licence, staff say.

According to the town, there were more than 350 listings for short-term rentals in Lake Country last summer on Airbnb and VRBO.

At last week’s town meeting where the matter was discussed, council took no specific action, but asked staff for more information on how other communities regulate vacation rentals.