Bill 35 - short term rental Accommodation Act

and what it means for your summer bookings

As many of you may already know the province of BC has put in place a set short term rental regulations that will come into affect May 1st of this year. 

The most talked about portion of these new regulations has been the Primary Resident Requirement, which the Tofino council has opted into for 2024, ensuring that all property’s must house a primary long term resident in order to obtain a short term rental business licence. This is actually not a new rule for the west coast, the bylaw has required this for all properties in the district of Tofino excluding The Eik Landing condos and Fred Tibbs Condos, the difference now is that enforcement will come from the province rather than the local district and property’s like the ones I have just mentioned will no longer have protection.

What is Bill 35 - Short Term Rental Accommodation At?

Bill 35 was introduced as part of the NDP's Homes for People Action Plan to combat the housing crisis and intends to regulate short-term rental listings of less than 90 days. It amends the Local Government Act. Find out more about this here

What does this mean for my summer bookings? 

There are two important details to remember if staying in STR’s is your preferred accommodation option:

First - These regulations come into affect May 1st of 2024 however they will not be implemented until November 1st 2024. If you have already booked or plan to book a short term rental in Tofino for the summer there will be no change to your reservation or danger of losing your booking due to the new regulations.

Second - This legislation will impact only a small amount of STR’s. 

Those who are legal non conforming, meaning municipal bylaws have changed over time to no longer support their ability to short term rent however until now they have been grandfathered into the ability to hold a legal STR business license, this grandfathering will no longer be allowed.

Those who STR out of a condominium ( note there will be some condos still able to legally rent for a portion of the year so check with your host on their specific situation). 

If in doubt ask your host! They should be able to answer your questions from an informed place, if they can not that particular unit may not be the best accommodation choice. As a guest you want to ensure that your host is operating legally, for moral reasons but also to protect yourself against a possible change to your booking without notice. Units that do continue to operate illegally after November 1st 2024 will be subject to hefty fines, shut down and removal from online platforms without notice. Guests who have existing reservations will loose their booking.

This is a controversial move on the part of the Province in an effort to find more solutions for the increasing housing crisis, to find out more details on why and how this strategy will be implemented visit The Government of Canada Website.

Why winter is the perfect time for a mini getaway

With its colder weather and shorter days many of us can begin to feel that the monotony of the season will never end. Add to that the pressure we put on ourselves to achieve just as much as we do in the warmer months when what we really need is to slow down and make space for rest. What better way to do this than a mini vacation?!

Often when we think of a winter getaway it’s to some far flung destination, generally located closer to the equator, or a to a posh ski resort which in the current economy is out of reach for many. Often all we need is a change of scenery and you don’t need to go far or spend a bunch of money to find this.

In nature winter is a time of retreat, the cold weather and long nights give plants and animals a much needed break to restore themselves for the seasons to come. As humans living in a fast paced world with demands on us at all times of day or night, we forget that we too are animals who need rest.

Rather than jumping on a plane to warmer climes maybe think closer to home.

Jen McLeod Photography

How to mini-retreat in winter:

1. Put aside a few days just for yourself. If you can, book a cottage or apartment that you love the aesthetic of (yes this does matter) somewhere close to nature, it can even be in your own home town.

2. Plan ahead. Take time beforehand to think about what you want to get out of your time, remember this is all for you, plan your days leaving lots of space unplanned, pick one or two small things you’d like to do, places you want to visit such as a coffee shop, museum or book store. Keep it simple.

3. Put your phone away. Using this time to have a digital detox will bring an added element of space and quite to your getaway, if this feels to extreme put limits on your screen time and let work and family know that you will not be answering emails/messages. take this opportunity to enjoy slower paced activities such as reading, puzzles, writing, long walks or simply enjoying the view from your window.

4. Let go of routine. Relax into vacation mode, sleep in and enjoy the space you have created, notice that urge to fill the space with activity and resist.

5. Eat well. Take time to cook lengthy meals or enjoy the local restaurants depending on your budget, ensure you are nourishing your body with healthy meals.

6. Get outside. Take a little time each day to be out in nature, wether it’s a dip in the sea, a relaxing walk or piling yourself in blankets for some outdoor reading, make sure fresh air is a part of every day.

Taking time away from our busy schedules for reflection is a practice that will have a positive impact on you as well as everyone around you. Normalize simple travel experiences as an important act of self care.

Do you take mini vaycays? Share your favourite budget travel hacks and close to home must see spots with us on Instagram, we’d love to hear from you. 

Where to next?

it’s in the details

A guest’s first impression when they walk into a space is what will stick with them most during the entirety of their stay, as well as in their lasting memories of the experience. Lamps turned on for a late evening check in, the care with which the pillows are arranged on the couch, how the towels are folded in that extra special way, these are all acknowledgements of how much care the host has for their guests. It’s not just about the rooms being clean, (this is of course very important), but the way a space makes the guest feel the moment they walk in is key.

Here at Evergreen Co., we understand the importance of thoughtfulness, in fact details are what we do best. We take extreme care to ensure each home is professionally cleaned (yes even under the beds), each place is well equipped with adequate amenities for the size of party, and our rentals are stocked with locally made products and small welcome gifts. We understand that our job doesn’t end at check-in. We pride ourselves in being responsive to guest”s questions and concerns throughout their stay. A vacation rental is not just a place to rest your head, it’s a home away from home.

Please visit our properties page to book your stay with us!