The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors has adopted an updated Short-Term Rental (STR) Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Policy that includes new density criteria for Electoral Area F.

“We’ve heard from residents, community associations and operators that density in Area F needed to be addressed, and that the process needs to have more certainty,” said RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.

“These criteria respond to concerns about the concentration of short-term rentals, while giving property owners and operators clarity about where new permits would be considered before they apply.”

Of the 306 STR TUPs issued in the RDEK to date, 193 have been in Area F which has prompted calls for more direction with regard to density within the policy.

The new criteria set out where new permits may be issued, based on separation distances from existing permits:

• Small-lot residential areas (lots under 0.5 acres, outside resort areas): 75 metres measured from the property boundary of the parcel under application.
• Resort communities (fewer than 25% of homes occupied by usual residents): 35 metres measured from the property boundary of the parcel under application.
• Adjacency restriction for lots over 0.5 acres.
• Strata properties are exempt from the density criteria.

Applications in Area F that meet all policy requirements, including the new density criteria, will be processed by staff through the delegated approval process. Applications that don’t meet the requirements will continue to be considered by the board.

The density criteria are an interim measure and will be reviewed as part of the public consultation planned for 2027 related to the RDEK’s move to regulation through a business licence model.

e-KNOW file photo

RDEK

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