A review of data analytics revealed that there are 425 non-permitted short-term rentals in the city of Vancouver

Spencer Pauley
The Center Square Washington

The Vancouver City Council approved a short-term rental ordinance that requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and a short-term rental permit.

The operators will be required to pay $50 for the business license and $250 for the permit. Applicants will have to apply for a one-time permit by Feb. 15, 2024.

Prior to the recently passed ordinance, the city’s land use and development code did not allow short-term rentals in residential zones except as expressly authorized under the bed-and-breakfast provisions.

The approved short-term rental regulations will be implemented for a 24-month pilot period to assess effectiveness and determine what changes may be needed in the future, according to the city. 

During the 24-month pilot period, the city will look to achieve the goals of limiting the total number of short-term rentals to no more than 870 units, which is the equivalent to 1% of the city’s current total housing stock at the time of adoption.

The city also seeks to exclude short-term rentals from any development receiving the multifamily tax exemption incentive.

“Implementation of a regulated and permitted [short-term rental] program allows the city to monitor compliance with all city and state regulations,” Vancouver Development Review Manager Jason Nortz said in a statement. “The regulations give us the ability to inspect any [short-term rentals] to ensure it complies with all regulations.”

Over the last decade, the city has seen a growing number of Airbnb’s –  a well-known short-term rental web service. A review of data analytics revealed that there are 425 non-permitted short-term rentals in the city of Vancouver.

The median nightly rental rate in Vancouver is $118, according to the ordinance.

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.