Mayor Murray Skeels told council this week that “the game is being stepped up” against illegal vacation rentals on Bowen Island. He proposed that owners of these properties be informed that noise bylaws will be enforced resulting in fines complaints against them are substantiated. While several councilors did question this approach to dealing with the issue of illegal vacation rentals, all ended up voting in favour of the plan.
Following some discussion on the matter, Mayor Skeels explained that he sees this issue as an “emerging one.” Former candidate for council Michael Chapman researched the websites VRBO.com and Airbnb.com and says that more than 50 complete homes are being offered up for short stays as opposed to long-term tenants. According to our land use bylaw, suites with kitchens on most parts of the island are illegal for the purpose of short-term rental. The Municipality says it has its hands tied on the issue because according to the Land Use Bylaw, they do not have the power to fine people for infractions.
Councilor Alison Morse took issue with the wording of Mayor Skeels’ initial resolution, and added that the public must be included in any campaign warning a crack-down on noise coming from vacation rental properties.
“We’ve got to get the word out there that the owners are on the hook,” she said. “But if we don’t get the word out there to the public, then there will be no complaints to investigate.”
Councilor Gary Ander brought up the fact that these properties are not legal in the first place, and Mayor Skeels interjected to say that this is simply about fining for noise.
Councilor Melanie Mason suggested this outreach be broadened into a general educational campaign about the regulations surrounding bed and breakfast facilities. To this, Mayor Skeels responded that this move is simply the first step in a longer process of improving our bylaws.
“We want to improve our bylaws before we start letting our muddle out,” he said.
After Councilor Michael Kaile brought up the fact that Bowen’s bylaw officers are not on duty during evenings and weekends, when most complaints would likely be made, council agreed that the RCMP must express a willingness to enforce noise bylaws.
Councilor Ander expressed further confusion over the proposed action.
“Where are we going with this?” He asked. “I understand the premise, but they’re basically illegal anyway and they have to conform to the noise bylaws anyway…”
“We’re putting them on notice that we are going to fine them,” explained Councilor Morse, who proceeded to tell a story about a short-term rental that was used as a party house, and also happened to use too much water.
“After several notices, the water was shut off. That solved the problem,” said Morse.
All councilors agreed that property owners and public should be made aware of the fact that the noise bylaw will be enforced on vacation rental properties, and that fines may be added to property taxes.
Michael Chapman says he is concerned about the message being sent by this action.
“Are we saying it is okay to be operating illegal STRs as long as you’re not noisy? Maybe we should be sending the message that there are clear rules around the operation of these establishment, and people should step up and comply with them. I don’t think people want to be doing things that are illegal, but they at the very least they need to be made aware of what the rules are.”
