Aug 28, 2019 - Salt Spring Island Takes Legal Action on Unlawful Short Term Vacation Rental

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Bowen, Denman, Hornby,  Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
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August 28, 2019            2019-19-IT 
 
SALT SPRING ISLAND TAKES LEGAL ACTION ON UNLAWFUL SHORT TERM VACTION RENTAL 
 
Coast Salish Territory, Salt Spring Island—The Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee (SSI LTC) has authorized legal 
action be taken against the owner of an unlawful short-term vacation rental (STVR) located on an Upper Ganges Road 
property. The SSI LTC is seeking a court order stopping the use of the property as a STVR, which is contrary to the Salt 
Spring Island Local Trust Committee Land Use Bylaw. 
 
In response to the ongoing housing crisis on Salt Spring, the SSI LTC has taken a proactive approach on unlawful STVRs, 
which are potentially removing accommodation from the long-term housing market.  
 
“Islands Trust has heard from the public about growing concerns over the impacts of STVRs on their lives and the 
community at large,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the Salt Spring Island LTC. “In addition to the very real concerns that 
these unlawful STVRs are affecting the amount of long-term rental housing available for island residents, we’ve also 
heard about increased noise, problems with traffic and parking, and water issues from these operations. This is why the 
LTC has requested that bylaw officers take a proactive approach when dealing with STVRs.” 
 
The house in question is a single family dwelling. The owner does not live on site, and the property has been managed 
by a third party individual who manages several STVRs. The use of a single family dwelling for the purpose of a short-
term vacation rental is prohibited on Salt Spring. The island’s Land Use Bylaw only permits temporary tourist 
accommodation in single family dwellings in some zones, if it is provided as home-based bed and breakfast 
accommodation that is accessory to a residential use and operated by a person permanently residing on the property. 
The Land Use Bylaw was developed through extensive public engagement. The regulations covering bed and breakfast 
accommodations are designed to support a vision of tourism that is small-scale, low-impact, and encourages 
meaningful connections with the Salt Spring community. 
 
The property has been the subject of numerous complaints dating back to 2017. Islands Trust Bylaw Compliance and 
Enforcement staff have notified the owner of the property, along with their agent, on multiple occasions. Despite 
repeated requests to the operator of the STVR to cease operations, the STVR continues to be active. 
 
“We’ve had numerous complaints from the public regarding the property in question,” said David Marlor, Director, 
Local Planning Servi

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