05/06/2026
The Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere Community Associations will present the report Managing STR Density in RDEK Electoral Area F, at the upcoming RDEK Planning and
Development Services Committee (PDSC) meeting on May 7, 2026.
The report focuses on the growing concentration of STRs within single-family residential areas
in Electoral Area F and the impacts on housing availability, residential character, and local
infrastructure.
While STRs contribute to the local tourism economy, their increasing density in single-family residential areas is creating measurable impacts.
In some neighbourhoods, STR densities
range from approximately 7% to 42%, with the highest concentrations occurring at the street
level. These conditions have developed over time through incremental approvals without clear limits or a framework to assess cumulative impacts.
In Fairmont Hot Springs, concerns are heightened by pressure on infrastructure. The local water system has experienced significant failures over the past year, resulting in water restrictions due to overconsumption and boil water advisories.
The report notes that the Province, through the Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 25), has provided local governments with both the authority and expectation to use density management tools to protect housing availability and manage STR growth.
Based on observed conditions in Area F, the report recommends three key measures:
Limit of 3 STRs per street or 15% of dwellings, whichever is lower
Minimum separation distance of 60 metres (197 ft) between STRs
Neighbourhood-level cap of up to 10% of dwellings
These tools are intended to work together to manage both the number and distribution of STRs.
They provide clear, measurable thresholds to guide decision-making.
The Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere Community Associations state that these tools can be implemented immediately within the existing STR Temporary Use Permit (TUP) framework and will support the transition to business licensing.
The goal is to provide a consistent, practical approach to managing STR density that balances the local tourism economy with housing availability and the residential character of single-family residential areas.
The presentation will be made to the RDEK Planning and Development Services Committee
(PDSC) on May 7, 2026, at 1:00 pm. You can watch the meeting via a Zoom link that will be released on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
https://www.rdek.bc.ca/meetings_events/agendas/
For more information, please contact Colleen Roberts, Chair, WCA Planning Committee:
[email protected]
Livestream links are posted by Tuesday evening immediately before the Committee/Board Meetings. If you join a Committee Meeting, please note that the previous meeting may still be underway.
