Fort St. John seeks opt-out from BC’s Short Term Rental Accommodations Act

FORT ST. JOHN — The City of Fort St. John has requested to opt out of the B.C.’s Short Term Rental Accommodations Act.

Council asked for the request to be re-submitted during February 26th’s meeting after being denied by the province for not having the necessary statistics in their letter back in November 2023. 

The Accommodations Act received royal assent in October 2023, which put regulations on short-term rental bylaws. The act requires service providers and individuals to get business licenses to register their short-term rentals with the province. 

According to a report to council, staff supported opting out of the requirements, believing its zoning bylaw adequately addresses regulations for short-term rental housing.

Municipal vacancy rates need to be at least three per cent over two years to opt out of the act. 

City Mayor Lilia Hansen wrote a letter to the Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon, to explain council’s decision. 

“Fort St. John’s vacancy rate is substantially higher than three per cent,” said Hansen

According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), vacancy rates for townhouses and apartments in Fort St. John were 9.7 per cent in 2022 and 5.7 per cent in 2023.  

In her letter, Hansen outlined the benefits of housing policies in the region. 

“Although we understand the value of consistency in the application of legislation, there may be better solutions to the housing crisis as it is being experienced here in Fort St. John,” said Hansen. 

According to the mayor, commercial and short-term rentals are important economic drivers for the city.

“These rentals do not serve the tourism industry, they provide housing for our industrial sector to be able to provide workforces in support of various projects at all scales throughout the region,” said Hansen. 

“The availability of these rentals allows many economically vital projects to be viable.”

Hansen concluded her letter by suggesting a provincial government program that would provide security for tenants and give landlords an income guarantee. 

“A program like this would have a substantial and immediate impact on homelessness in our community, allow folks to re-enter the workforce with the stability of being sheltered, and increase occupancy of many units which sit on the sidelines currently,” said Hansen. 

The city has to await approval from the province for the request to be granted. 

The next opt-out request will be required before March 31st, 2025.

The full report can be viewed below: