Mayor Darnelda Siegers said council is trying to balance tourism in Sechelt, a popular destination on BC’s Sunshine Coast, with the needs of the 10,800 people who live there year-round. “We heard loud and clear from the community that we needed to address short-term rentals in the community because they were finding that the fit and feel of their neighborhoods was being affected,” she told CBC’s On the Shore host Gloria Macarenko. The district will issue short-term rental licenses to only 15 operators. Right now, there are about 50 — meaning most will lose their right to rent out their properties. The change is much to the chagrin of Erin Frizzell, a Vancouver resident who owns property in Sechelt. Frizzell and her family visit the property once a month, but when they’re not there, they open it up to tenants. She said she put all her savings into buying a vacation home in Sechelt, a community she hopes to live in full-time, eventually. “We don’t have anything in town. That’s it,” he said. “This is our dream to raise our daughter there and eventually retire to the Sunshine Coast in a community we love. [the mortgage].” Frizzell blames people partying on other rental sites for giving operators a bad reputation. Siegers notes that on one block there are three properties designated as “party houses.” “The community doesn’t like that. They don’t feel like they can really live in their community and enjoy their community because they always have these strangers coming in and out,” he said. Three categories of short-term rentals have been identified and each will be policed differently. Those who live in a house and rent a suite will not be restricted, nor will those who are on the property and rent a carriage house or outbuilding, as long as the homeowner is there. Secondary residences will be limited. Siegers said there is insufficient evidence to determine whether all 50 short-term rentals are secondary residences. He said permitting will take place in January, at which time staff will issue permits based on parking, trash and other requirements, but will also seek feedback from neighbors about how their tenants have affected the area. “Everybody says they run a great facility. Who’s going to be able to tell us that? It’s going to be your neighbors,” Siegers said. He acknowledged the effect this could have on tourism in the area, but said the safety and enjoyment of those who live there came first. “The community has spoken pretty loud and clear that we need to handle this in Sechelt. They don’t like what’s going on and this is our attempt to meet the needs of the larger community.” Frizzell said she hopes the district can reconsider allowing short-term rental operators who are already in the community and act responsibly and respectfully to continue renting in a legacy arrangement of some kind. “We want everyone to run a cottage as responsibly as we do and be a good neighbor and just give people a chance to visit the area and enjoy this space in a respectful way,” he said. On The Coast9:33 How the Sechelt Region is limiting short-term rentals Sechelt District Mayor Darnelda Siegers explains the municipality’s move to limit short-term rentals.
