RDEK eyes short-term rental density rules

The Regional District of East Kootenay board will consider potential changes to its short-term rental policy after concerns were raised about the concentration of rentals in parts of the region.

Recommendations dealing with short-term rental density are expected to be presented to the RDEK’s Planning and Development Services Committee on Oct. 8 before going to the board on Oct. 9.

“The board will be asked to make a decision on density recommendations related to short-term rentals with a goal of providing more policy clarity and clear guidance for applicants looking to apply for STR temporary use permits,” RDEK planning manager Karen MacLeod said.

Although the concerns that prompted the review came from Electoral Area F in the Columbia Valley, the RDEK has reviewed short-term rental density across all six of its electoral areas.

That includes Electoral Area A, which covers the rural Elk Valley and communities near Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford, immediately west of Crowsnest Pass.

Details of the proposed recommendations have not yet been released. The reports and meeting agendas are scheduled to be posted on the evening of Oct. 2.

In December 2025, the board directed that every short-term rental temporary use permit application in Electoral Area F be brought before the board for a decision instead of being approved by RDEK staff under delegated authority.

Area F includes communities such as Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Panorama and Columere.

The temporary change gave directors additional time to examine the number and concentration of short-term rentals in that area and decide whether more specific density regulations were needed.

“Earlier this summer, we held a facilitated meeting to discuss short-term rental density in Electoral Area F,” MacLeod said.

The meeting included short-term rental operators, community representatives and other organizations. MacLeod said those discussions, combined with a review of rental density throughout the RDEK, helped shape the recommendations going to the board.

Under the RDEK’s existing policy, a short-term rental generally involves providing accommodation to paying guests for fewer than 30 days. Where a property’s zoning does not already permit commercial accommodation, the operator must obtain a temporary use permit.

Applications that comply with the policy can normally be considered by staff. Proposals that fall outside the policy’s requirements, or applications for a second short-term rental permit on the same parcel, are referred to the board.

Current requirements include parking based on guest capacity, floor and fire-safety plans and a local contact available to respond to problems whenever the rental is operating. The maximum occupancy allowed under a delegated permit is generally 10 guests.

The RDEK adopted its short-term rental temporary use permit policy in July 2023 following several rounds of public consultation. Application intake began later that year.

Any density rules approved by the board could add another consideration to the permit process by taking into account how many short-term rentals already operate within a neighbourhood or surrounding area.

The Oct. 8 committee meeting will provide the first public look at the recommendations before directors consider a decision the following day.