Public Meeting on STRs on November 9, 2021

City to Hold Public Meeting on Short Term Rentals on November 9, 2021
Posted on 11/03/2021
A public meeting is scheduled and will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. The meeting will start at 7:00pm and is being hosted at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

The City of Charlottetown is moving forward with short-term rental (STR) regulations. A short-term rental (STR) is defined as the rental of a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit for a period of less than 28 consecutive days. Staff are proposing that any dwelling unit except for apartments can be used as an STR under the condition that it is the host/operator’s principal residence.

The following sections to the Zoning & Development Bylaw (PH-ZD.2) and Official Plan (PH-OPA.1) are being amended as well:
Official Plan amendments pertaining to:
• Section 3.2 Sustaining Charlottetown’s Neighbourhoods: Requiring that an STR is operated out of the host’s principal residence and compatible with the neighbourhood; and
• Section 4.5 Supporting Home Occupations: Licensing requirements for STR’s.

and the Zoning & Development By-law amendments pertaining to:
• Section 5.6 Secondary Suites: To permit for an STR if host is present during stay;
• Section 5.7 Garden Suites: To permit for an STR if host is present during stay;
• Section 5.11 Tourist Accommodations on Residential Properties: An STR defined as a Tourist Home, permitted in the principal residence of the operator/host, either the entire or portion of the dwelling unit to be rented, max of four (4) bedrooms to be used, and operator/host does not have to be present at time of stay (only if the principal dwelling is being rented);
• Section 43.1 Parking Space Standards: Two (2) parking spaces required; and
• Appendix A. Definitions: To include the following definitions: Booking, Principal Residence, Short-term Rental, Tourist Accommodation, and Tourist Home.

On October 5, 2021, Prince Edward Island introduced the PEI Vax Pass Program. Under this time-limited initiative, individuals 12 years of age and older will need to show proof of vaccination to access some indoor and outdoor businesses, services and events. Initially, Island residents and visitors will need to show proof using their government-issued vaccination record along with a valid government issued photo ID.

Those who wish to participate in the public meeting in person must reserve a seat by visiting www.confederationcentre.com. To purchase free tickets, click on “What’s On”, followed by “Short Term Rentals within the City of Charlottetown”, and click “Buy Tickets”. Members of the public can also book by phone at 1 (902) 566-1267. For contact tracing purposes, those wishing to participate in person must register in advance.

If capacity is reached or those who are not fully vaccinated, unable or uncomfortable attending in person can participate in the public meeting via videoconference (Webex). The presentation will also be live streamed at www.charlottetown.ca/video and will be available to watch anytime on the City of Charlottetown’s YouTube channel following the public consultation.

Residents wishing to participate via WebEx are encouraged to contact the Planning & Heritage Department by email at [email protected] or call 902-629-4158 on or before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 05, 2021 to provide their contact details (name, phone number and/or email address). Business hours are between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday. Staff will contact interested participants no later 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 08, 2021 with details on how to participate in the meeting.

The Confederation Centre is an accessible venue. For more information about the Centre’s accessibility, or to notify box office representatives of specific requirements, please visit https://confederationcentre.com/venues/mainstage-theatre/

Anyone attending the public meeting in person is asked to adhere to the guidelines established by the Chief Public Health Office, details of which are available online at www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19.

As the City encourages written submission, please forward any written comments before 4:30pm on November 19, 2021 to the Planning & Heritage Department. Those who are unable to attend the meeting in person are welcome to submit comments on Short Term Rentals to [email protected]

For those who do not wish to submit via email, written submissions will be accepted to the attention of:

Planning & Heritage - City of Charlottetown
P.O. Box 98, 199 Queen Street,
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2

Residents can also drop off written feedback at City Hall, 199 Queen Street, with the envelope, clearly marked to the attention of the Planning & Heritage Department. Any responses received will become part of the public record.

Anyone wishing to view documents on Short Term Rentals can visit the City’s website at www.charlottetown.ca and find the Short-Term Rental Process Tab under Mayor and Council.

For more information on the Planning & Heritage Department and the Short-Term Rental Process, please call 902-629-4158.