In mid-July, Ritchot’s council brought some clarity to the municipality’s position on bed-and-breakfasts, Airbnbs, and VRBOs. The discussion came in response to an application put forward by Joshua and Laura Boettcher of 274 Calla Bay in Grande Pointe.
The Boettchers, who attended the meeting virtually, indicated an interest in opening their home for short-term rentals.
“We’ve had movie producers wanting to rent the home for a bit,” Laura told council. “And when we go away in the winter, we can have someone stay here and [provide us with] an income while we’re away.”
The application, which was drawn up to read as if the property was intended to be a bed-and-breakfast, was incorrect, Laura said. It was more the VRBO-type rental they were after.
Mayor Chris Ewen and Councillor Shane Pelletier both suggested that Ritchot’s zoning bylaws currently only allow for bed-and-breakfast rentals. Owners must be living in their home throughout the duration of the rental period.
“At this time, there is no other zoning that would allow some kind of VRBO-style rental, where you could vacation… and rent out your home for a month,” said Mayor Ewen. “That just wouldn’t fly here. We’ve never seen that and I don’t think there’s an appetite at this time for it, but it would be something we could review at our zoning bylaw meeting.”
CAO Mitch Duval clarified Ewen’s statement, saying that there is no specific wording in the bed-and-breakfast bylaw to regulate that. He encouraged council to consider applying a condition to this particular permit if they feel the need to ensure that rentals cannot occur while homeowners are living offsite.
As for VRBOs, Councillor Janine Boulanger suggested that council re-evaluate their position in the coming months. If a new zoning bylaw were to be created to allow for such a business, the Boettchers would have an opportunity to reapply at that time.
Duval suggested that the RM investigate how the city of Winnipeg currently deals with vacation rental permit requests.
Joshua Boettcher asked council about their position on the use of their home as a regular rental unit, not specific to the vacation classification. In that case, Mayor Ewen said, the process would be different and require proof that rental home insurance had been obtained.
Three others attended the meeting virtually, all having submitted letters of dissatisfaction or concern. None of those letters were read aloud for the public’s benefit.
A neighbour to the Boettchers, Lisa Rowswell, questioned council’s silence regarding the content of these letters and the number of objections they had received.
“It’s a decision [left up to] the chair,” Ewen said. “This evening, nothing is being read out loud.”
As well, Rowswell made council aware that there is at least one Grande Pointe home that is being advertised online as a VRBO rental. Mayor Ewen asked that she or other residents report such illegal operations to the RM through the service request portal on their website.
Another resident from Boettcher’s neighbourhood, Robert Dvorski, thanked council for providing clarity about the requirement for homeowners to remain onsite during rental periods. He was concerned, though, that residents in Grande Pointe weren’t receiving notices about public hearings like this one.
At the Boettchers’ request, council proceeded with a vote on the application for a bed-and-breakfast permit. It was approved in a 4–1. Councillor Boulanger stood opposed.
