The District of Tofino is providing an update on recent Council decisions and Provincial responses related to the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (Bill 35), specifically the Principal Residence Requirement.

Special Council Meeting: March 27, 2025

At the Special Council Meeting, Council made the following decisions:

• Requested the District of Tofino be added back to the exempt land list under Bill 35, and to opt-out of the Principal Residence Requirement.
• Directed staff to submit this request to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs by March 31, 2025.
• Asked that the change take effect immediately instead of November 1, 2025.

What Has Happened Since

• The District submitted its request to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
• The Province has approved the request, pending confirmation by Cabinet by Order-In-Council.

Key Information from the Province

• Provincial staff re-affirmed that under current legislation, communities that opt-out by March 31, 2025, will see the change take effect November 1, 2025.
• The legislation will not be changed to allow the exemption to take effect earlier.
• The Principal Residence Requirement will remain in effect in the District of Tofino until November 1, 2025.
• Businesses are expected to comply with local and provincial laws.

Short-Term Rental Registry

• The Province is aware that there is a delay in processing registry applications.
• Provincial staff re-affirmed that it is expected that hosts should be able to continue to operate if they have submitted their registry application in advance of the deadline of  May 1, 2025.

For more details on Short-Term Rental Regulations, visit  www.tofino.ca/str