Visitor Accommodation - Adding flexibility Creates Opportunity

Canmore, like many Canadian municipalities, is attempting to resolve challenges associated with housing affordability; there are no quick fixes. However, we should not avoid making small changes to processes or regulations that may contribute, when combined, to an overall solution.

One such small change is to revise the definition of the "Visitor Accommodation" land-use designation to permit stays that exceed 30 days. This revision can be achieved via a simple text amendment, which would then enable owners of units designated as Visitor Accommodation, who do not wish to engage in short-term rentals, to offer their units as long-term rentals if they so desire. This change would align, with some exceptions, the Visitor Accommodation land use designation with the Tourist Home land use designation. Visitor Accommodation units would still be subject to commercial taxes, so the Town's tax base would not be affected.

There are many Visitor Accommodation Units already built within Canmore and there may be a portion of those that could become long-term rentals.

If just 10 units became long-term rental units, that's 10 more than if no change was made and 10 more residents with potential for more permanent housing.