City to consider regulating Airbnb
Administration to review business bylaws in February
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Northern News Services
Friday, January 27, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife might soon begin regulating short-term rental accommodations like Airbnb.
Faith Embleton, owner and operator of Embleton House Bed and Breakfast, wonders why she is paying to have a legitimate, registered business when anyone in the city can rent a room in their home to tourists. Embleton said it is not about losing business to the website Airbnb she said she just does not understand why the city is not concerned about unlicensed and unregistered bed and breakfast operators. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
In February, the city will begin reviewing its business bylaws, which could mean adding or amending sections to include rentals such as Airbnb.
"There's no bylaw that deals specifically with Airbnbs as such," said director of corporate services Jeff Dalley.
"They don't fall strictly into one category."
Currently there are 95 listings on Airbnb for Yellowknife, including several rooms in licensed bed and breakfasts. The prices range from $39 a night for a room in a trailer, to $345 for a whole house.
Many larger centers have struggled with the issue of how to fit Airbnbs into its regulatory system, and the legal problems associated with attempting to regulate it. Dalley pointed to the importance of considering the needs of people who are offering Airbnbs as well as the needs of licensed rental accommodations such as hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts.
"In terms of the city, we're committed to treating all residents the same," he said. "We have to make sure we look at both sides of the situation."
A business licence for a resident costs $200. The fine for operating without a licence is $250, in addition to other fines, like a $25 fine for failing to post a business license. A fine up to $1,000 can be imposed with a summary conviction.
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is also taking a middle of the road position on the issue.
"We don't support the regulation of Airbnb at this time," said Chamber of Commerce executive director Deneen Everett, adding the chamber is monitoring the growth of Airbnb options in Yellowknife and watching what other jurisdictions do.
"We know that there have been some people who want it regulated, some people that have been very vocal that they don't want it regulated as well."
The waiting doesn't please everyone. Faith Embleton, owner and operator of Embleton House Bed and Breakfast has been campaigning to have unlicensed establishments such as Airbnbs dealt with for seven months.
"The truth of the matter is I'm doing fine but I know that my bottom line is down, and I'm running a business," she said, adding all she wants is a fair playing field. "We had to put our retirement on hold because of this nonsense."
