New Rules for Short Term Rentals
Submitted by Melanie Swailes on behalf of the Development and Transportation Committee
Do you operate a Short-Term Rental? If so, there are new rules that come into effect on January 1, 2024. For complete details, see the City of Calgary website at www.calgary.ca/STR. Effective January 1, if you rent out any home or portion of the home, you must have a valid Business Licence for the STR, regardless of how frequently or infrequently you rent out the unit.
How can you find out if a short-term rental has a valid license? There are about 5,700 STRs in Calgary. If they have a license, they will be on this map: https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Map-of-Short-Term-Rentals/xmzy-ebse. If a unit is not on the map, it might be a licensed “Bed and Breakfast”, which falls under a separate category. If it is an unregistered STR operating without a license, then complaints can be submitted to 3-1-1 (online, phone, text).
What is Defined as a Short-Term Rental?
Most people are familiar with Airbnb or VRBO. The City’s definition is “the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation, in a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit for periods of up to 30 consecutive days.” Note that an STR may be either a full dwelling (such as renting out a whole condo or house) or a portion of a dwelling (such as a basement or a room in your condo). Either way, new rules will apply.
Why are the New Rules Needed?
According to the City, these amendments aim to strike a balance between enabling the economic benefits for short-term rentals and minimizing the negative impacts on the community. The rules are intended to:
• Enhance safety of the STR unit
• Reduce negative impacts on the community
• Ensure greater accountability
What if I Have a Secondary Suite? Can I Use That as a STR?
Yes, but the host must have a short-term rental licence. The secondary suite must be fully compliant with all the bylaws and building codes for a secondary suite, including being on the registry.
What are the New Rules?
As of January 2024, you must have a valid business licence for the STR.
The requirements include:
• Licence inspector review
• Annual fire inspections done by Calgary Fire Department to ensure compliance with all life safety requirements
• Proof of insurance indicating the location is operating as a business
• Proof of ownership of the dwelling unit or written owner consent
• If in a condo, written proof from the condo board that short-term rentals are permitted
You must also include:
• A floor plan of the dwelling unit or portion of the dwelling unit offered, including:
o Dimensions of the rooms
o All rooms for rent, including all rooms offered as bedrooms or available for the purpose of sleeping (living rooms with a fold out couch for example)
o Location of all smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
o Location of fire exits
In addition, the following regulations apply:
• Maximum number of guests (no more than two adults per room)
• Overlapping bookings (the host cannot rent out separate rooms to separate guests under separate reservations)
• Advertising (the host must include the business license number in any advertising for the STR)
• Emergency contact information must be available
• A guest record must be kept for each transaction
What if a Host Does Not Comply with the Bylaws? Are There Fines for Non-Compliance?
The City’s approach is to achieve voluntary compliance for bylaws whenever possible. Failing to abide by the regulations can result in a $1,000 fine for each offense upon conviction.
If you rent out your home or part of your home, it’s up to you to get a license and learn the rules. The City website also has a ‘Good Host Guide’ and a ‘Good Guest Guide’ to provide knowledge on best practices. If you are a neighbour being impacted by an STR nearby, complaints should be submitted to 3-1-1 (online, phone, text).
If you are interested in community planning and redevelopment issues, we welcome new members to join us. We meet at 7:00 pm on the first Monday of every month in the Sportsplex Boardroom. Contact the BCA for more information at [email protected] or at 403-284-3477.
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