CBC News
The City of Richmond, B.C. is still working out how it will enforce a ban on unlicensed short-term housing rentals — such as those found on Airbnb — after a surprising vote earlier this week.
City council voted unanimously in favour of the ban on Monday evening, despite a report from city staff last week that recommended regulating the short-term rentals instead of banning them outright.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie said the move came after council heard significant public input about the negative impact short-term rentals are having on Richmond neighbourhoods.
“We said as a council, okay, we want to move forward,” Brodie said.
“We’re going to prohibit these, and we want greater rigour around the bylaws that will talk about enforcement and provide a better program in terms of how we go forward.” …