Why short-term rentals are a bigger problem in Vancouver than you think

Good morning,

Who knew walking was so difficult? I did a 16 km hike on Friday, with little elevation, and I was feeling it this morning. Always a good reminder to stretch afterwards.

It also seems like many of you caught the Celebration of Light. It’s a reminder of just how great summers in Vancouver can be, with all the different events.

Today we’ve got:

🏠 A deep dive into short-term rental loopholes

🍕 A pizza place from the archives you should check out

🎆 And some pictures and video from the Celebration of Light

Let’s go!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout writer

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WEATHER

Monday: 17 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

Tuesday: 21 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 22 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

WEEKLY LOOKOUT

Missing middle found: Or, at the very least, we’re moving the process forward. Tomorrow council will vote on bringing city staff’s missing middle housing report to public hearings. The policy would see major changes to property zoning, allowing multiple units and multiplexes on one piece of property. [Business in Vancouver]

HOUSING

Short-term rentals, long-term problems

What happened: Vancouver’s bylaws related to short-term rental listings like Airbnb may need to be updated as a growing number of residents appear to be breaking the rules, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Background: Short-term rentals like Airbnb take homes out of the housing stock, reducing supply and increasing costs on existing rentals. Owners must obtain a license from the city to host their home, and it must be their principal residence, not units like secondary suites or laneway homes, according to the city.

• The policy works with Airbnb, which resulted in 2,500 listings being taken down after the rules were brought in, according to CBC.

The problem: Short-term listings have risen recently while rental prices have skyrocketed. Enforcement appears to be an issue. Loopholes also exist, where a landlord offers a laneway home to a friend, and then that friend rents it out without actually occupying it. Tenants also rent multiple units, then list them on Airbnb. Only a fraction of licenses offered are actually audited, according to CBC, which makes circumventing the rules easy.

• Next steps: ABC Coun. Lenny Zhou told the Vancouver Sun they’re working with staff to identify new ways to deal with compliance.

Zoom out: The good times may be on the decline. The province says they are looking at ways to better regulate short-term rentals, by giving cities more tools, according to CBC.

• Over in Quebec, the province now requires rentals to be registered with the province before listing on Airbnb. Unlike other provinces, it’s the responsibility of Airbnb and other short-term rental companies to verify compliance, with large fines if the company fails to do so. This could become a model for other provinces.

Closer to home: North Vancouver is considering similar rules to Vancouver, according to North Shore News. Currently, short-term rentals operate freely.

Lookout’s view: Let’s face it, Vancouver is an expensive place to visit. Short-term rentals make it more likely people can visit. But a city is meant to serve its residents, not tourists. Bringing in tougher rules, and putting the onus on companies to verify, would seem like an effective way to incentivize companies like Airbnb to actually deal with the issue. The city needs more rental housing, and this is just one way to address it.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

💉 184: The number of British Columbians killed by toxic drugs in June. Fentanyl or similar drugs were involved in 90 percent of deaths. That takes the total number of deaths this year to more than 1,200. [The Tyee]

🚌 124: The number of days BC Transit bus drivers were on strike in the Fraser Valley. It was two weeks away from the all-time record for a transit strike. A new contract ratified by the union reduces the gap in wages for Fraser Valley transit workers compared to those in neighbouring cities. [Urbanized]

⚓ 1,700: The number of ships that have been abandoned throughout B.C.’s coasts. Now there’s a plan to find the owners and fine them. [CBC]

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Where to eat this week: Thank You Pizza

I’m not a food reviewer, but I do enjoy a good meal out. Every so often, I’ll share a recommendation on a place you should try, based on my experience at the restaurant

Those who know Thank You Pizza know it’s one of the best-kept secrets for pizza in the city. Why? The unassuming spot shares a location with Honeybee Brunchette — Thank You takes over in the evening — and all the pizza is made on a massive truck equipped with a pizza oven.

The vibes: The entire operation has a laid-back atmosphere. A solid selection of wines will go down well with any of the pizzas. But good luck finding a table, as it’s usually quite busy. The outside seating has a real I’m-in-Europe vibe which I dig.

• Also their mascot is adorable.

The food: But the reason you really come here is to chow down on one of Vancouver’s best pizzas. The dough is perfectly made, fluffy but stable, with char marks, and melts in your mouth as you eat. The options are limited compared to more traditional pizza joints, but the combinations are perfect:

• Try the mushroom pizza. The combination of mushrooms, cheese and bechamel sauce all work well together.

Insider tip: Go there early, it fills up fast. If you’re with a friend, get two. Sit outside for the best experience. And if the line is too long, check out La Boqueria, Pizzing Coming Soon, Oyster Express, Addah or for something less expensive, Redbeef Noodle Kitchen.

NEW JOBS

1. Project management assistant at the City of Vancouver

2. Annual giving officer at Arts Umbrella

3. Manager, economic development and advocacy at Downtown Van

4. Director of production at Pound & Gain

5. Marketing director at Mosaic Homes

THE AGENDA

🪧 The port strike may soon be over. The union representing port workers has recommended that membership adopt the policy that was originally agreed to by the mediator. The proposal was originally rejected by union leadership. [Business in Vancouver]

👮 One person has serious injuries after a shooting in Chinatown at Andy Livingston Park. Police say it’s not gang-related, and there is no risk to the public. [CityNews]

🏢 The Broadway and Granville Subway line station has an anchor tenant. Loblaws CityMarket will operate a 22,000-square-foot store at 1477 W Broadway. [Vancouver is Awesome]

🔥 On Friday night a fire broke out at Avion Hotel, an SRO on West Pender Street. There were no injuries and no reports of what caused it. Last year there were 233 fires at SROs, up from 104 in 2016. [CTV]

🐟 First Nations are working to bring back key fish stocks throughout Vancouver that were decimated by European colonizers. [The Tyee]

EVENT GUIDE

MV Summer Festival | Goldcorp Centre for the Arts | July 27-Aug. 5 | wardsOperatic performances, 60 performances from around the globe of opera music | Varied ticket prices

Upcoming

Supernatural TV Show Tour in Vancouver | Waterfront Station | Aug. 1, 7:30 pm | Discover all the places the popular TV series was filmed in this two-hour tour | Tickets $49

CNH x Fresh Roots Summer Market! | Collingwood Neighbourhood House | Aug. 4, 4 pm | Explore locally grown produce, local musicians and build connections with the community | Free

Harmony Arts Fest | Throughout West Vancouver | Aug. 4-13 | A celebration of music and visual arts, with kids' art workshops and family-friendly activities | Free

Vancouver Mural Festival | Throughout Metro Vancouver | Aug. 4-13 | Explore the outdoors with beautiful artistic murals, with artists, performers and tours throughout the city | Free and paid

Live Painting At Vancouver Fine Art Gallery | Vancouver Fine Art Gallery | Aug. 5, 1 pm | Watch professional artists and sculpturists make art in real time | Free

Powell Street Festival | Oppenheimer Park | Aug. 5-6, 11:30 am | One of my favourite events of the summer, come down to the park and celebrate Japanese culture, food, music, art, you name it. It’s worth a visit | Free

Vancouver Pride Festival | Concord Pacific Place | Aug. 5-6 | A two-day outdoor festival with DJs, drag performances and so much more, along with the ever-popular Pride Parade | Free

Powell Street Festival | Oppenheimer Park | Aug. 5-6 | Celebrate Japanese art and culture at the popular festival this summer, with music, food, crafts and more | Free

White Rock Craft Beer Festival | Memorial Park, White Rock | Sept. 23, 1 pm | Details soon

SPORTS

⚾ The Vancouver Canadians won 6-1 on Friday, 4-2 on Saturday and lost 8-11 on Sunday against Spokane. Their record is now 55-34

🏈 The B.C. Lions won 19-9 against the Roughriders, putting them on top of the West in the CFL with a 5 wins and 1 loss. [Global]

⚽ The Whitecaps kept pace with Leon, the toughest team in North America, for a 2-2 tie, before losing in a shootout after — this is no joke — 38 shots. [Vancouver Sun]

🏒 The Canucks are well positioned in the long term as the team has few multiple-year contracts but also have many potential prospects. And let’s be honest, locals need something to be excited about when it comes to hockey. [Canucks Army]

🏒 Brock Boeser may be poised for a breakout year with a new fitness focus and trainer [The Province]

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Missed the Celebration of Light? You can watch the entire thing here. Or check out this short clip of a kayaker watching the show.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Australia’s Celebration of Light wasn’t too shabby… [Reddit]

• Here’s a look behind the preparation for the Celebration of Light. That’s a lot of fireworks! [Twitter]

• If you’re heading to the Okanagan and need a guide, this is the one to check out. [Scout Magazine]

• Reddit shared their favourite shawarma and donair spots in Metro Vancouver. Tasty Donair, Uncle Sal’s and ZamZam Grill all made the list. What’s your favourite? [Reddit]

• It’s not just cats that are saved by Vancouver firefighters. This dog also needed rescuing. [Twitter]

• Here’s a helpful tip — be sure to delete your device after using an EVO’s Bluetooth, otherwise, your data could be stolen. [Reddit]

• Looking for more info about housing affordability? Check out this interview with the minister of housing Ravi Kahlon. [Business in Vancouver]

GOOD NEWS MONDAY

Start your day off with some good news:

Here’s a simple way to support the community and cool off in the summer — head over to your favourite art gallery. It’s a wonderful way to explore new ideas and shake up your week. The Tyee breaks down a bunch of new exhibits you should check out.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Now that’s a crowd!

GAME TIME

Congrats to everyone who guessed Friday’s Vancouver Wordle. The answer was MULTIPLEX.

Today’s quiz question — how long was the Fraser Valley transit strike? Reply with your name and the correct answer and we’ll feature it in the newsletter.