Corporations as well as renters in Richmond are now allowed to run short-term boarding and lodging businesses, as long as they have a license from the city.

The short-term Boarding and Lodging bylaw was passed at council on Monday, but it was not without its critics.

article continues below

Some council members as well as members of the public, voiced concern that neighbourhoods would fill up with these businesses because there are no buffer zones required between them, unlike bed-and-breakfast businesses. But in the end, council voted to pass the bylaw with Couns. Kelly Greene, Chak Au, Michael Wolfe voting against. Carol Day had to recuse herself since her husband owns a B&B.

Coun. Harold Steves supported the bylaw, saying it could tackle the rental shortage by letting renters share the cost by doing short-term rentals on the side.

“We have to beat the high cost of rental,” he told the Richmond News.

It would also crack down on illegal Airbnbs, he added, because previously someone could just counter a claim of an illegal Airbnb by saying it was a boarding and lodging facility that didn’t need a permit.

Short-term boarding and lodging businesses, allowed since the 1960s, can have two guests, but, until now, a business license wasn’t required.

Staff argued for implementing the rules, saying once in place, it would be easier to regulate and ensure these establishment don’t have more than two boarders, and that they are licensed.

Au argued against allowing renters and corporations to run boarding and loding businesses, saying there are still too many loopholes.