琉璃神社 council is to consider zoning bylaw changes that will affect short-term rentals in the city.

One of those changes would be to stop accepting applications for new short-term rental accommodation business licences.

Earlier this week, the NDP government announced its plan to limit short-term rentals across the province.

READ MORE: Province to limit short-term rentals in some B.C. communities, but not all

Other amendments to be considered by council include removing short-term rental accommodation as a permitted secondary use in several areas across the city.

鈥淲hich includes all agricultural and rural, single and two dwelling, multi-dwelling, core area and other zones, and comprehensive development zones,鈥� a staff report stated.

Properties where short-term rentals will continue to be allowed include the Downtown Urban Centre, South Pandosy Urban Centre, Cook Truswell Village Centre and McKinley Beach.

If the province makes further legislative changes, the status of properties in those areas may change, the report said.

There are currently 1,191 short-term rental accommodations with a valid business licence in 琉璃神社, an increase of 89 per cent since 2020.

An additional 1,200 units do not have a business licence.

The staff report also noted the challenges of managing and enforcing the short-term rental accommodation program.

Bylaw dealt with 294 calls related to 146 unique properties between 2019 and 2022.

Complaints were received about noise, nuisances, parking, solid waste bylaws, and the number of people and guests.

鈥淭here are also several properties that have become specifically problematic, generating over one hundred complaints, and taking bylaw enforcement officers years to investigate and resolve,鈥� the report stated.

Council will consider the changes at its regular meeting on Oct. 23.

READ MORE: Changes to short-term rentals good for 琉璃神社, says mayor