Hornby trustees set proposed 67-per-year cap on vacation rentals
The Local Trust Committee directed staff to prepare bylaw amendments for community input and extended the K’omoks First Nation referral deadline to July 1, 2025.
The Denman Firestarter · Governance · 2026-09-18 · Hornby Island
The Hornby Island Local Trust Committee directed staff to prepare draft amendments that would specify a maximum of 67 temporary use permits for vacation rentals per year, with the amendments and later referral responses to return for consideration of second reading at the May 16, 2025 regular meeting.[1]
The committee also granted K’omoks First Nation an extension until July 1, 2025, to respond to referrals for proposed Bylaw Nos. 176 and 177.[1] The chair said the request concerned proposed bylaws regarding secondary suites, vacation rentals, cisterns and chickens.[1]
The minutes record that staff identified possible amendments based on referral responses, staff analysis and the Suitable Land analysis, including clearer sewer and water requirements for vacation rentals and consideration of a maximum number of temporary use permits issued in a year.[1]
During public comments, the chair of the Hornby Island Advisory Planning Commission said the commission had recommended capping temporary use permits for short-term rentals and did not recommend delaying regulation until business licences could be managed by the Comox Valley Regional District.[1] Another public speaker said they supported deferring the entire Official Community Plan project, opposed setting a cap without community consultation and unbiased information, and said the current number of short-term rentals was stable and sustainable.[1]
The committee also directed staff to add a preliminary discussion about building inspection services on Hornby Island to the next annual meeting agenda with the Comox Valley Regional District.[1] It requested further work with K’ómoks First Nation on the regulatory, financial and operational implications of an island-wide Heritage Conservation Area and low-impact construction standards before considering policy or zoning amendments that would expand provisions for secondary suites or secondary dwellings beyond what is currently permitted.[1]
The meeting recording identifies the gathering as a regular meeting of the Hornby Island Local Trust Committee and records Chair Tim Peterson, Local Trustees Grant Scott and Alex Allen, and staff participation.[2]
Sources
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Hornby Island Local Trust Committee Minutes, March 21, 2025
that Hornby Island Local Trust Committee request staff to prepare draft amendment to Bylaw No. 176 cited as “Hornby Island Official Community Plan Bylaw No.149, 2014, Amendment No. 1, 2024” and Bylaw No. 177 cited as “Hornby Island Land Use Bylaw No.150, 2014, Amendment No. 1, 2024” as presented in the staff report, and in point no. iii specify a maximum number of temporary use permits for vacations rentals at 67 per year, and return the draft bylaw amendments and any subsequent referral responses to the Local Trust Committee for consideration of second reading at the May 16, 2025 regular business meeting.
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Transcript of the meeting recording (250321C)
My name is Tim Peterson. I'm elected on Mesquite Island. I'm the chair of the Hornby Island Local Trust Committee, joined today by Hornby Island trustees Grant Scott, Alex Allen, and together we constitute the Hornby Island Local Trust Committee.
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