Email from Greg Smith re: Short Term Rentals. Bylaws and Complaint
A resident's email expressing strong opposition and constitutional concerns regarding the town's short-term rental ban.
Short Term Rentals. Bylaws and Complaint
From: Greg Smith
Sent: October 21, 2025 10:28 AM
To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Subject: Short Term Rentals. Bylaws and Complaint
To whom it may concern
I reside on High Street in View Royal. We have a two bed suite in the home that we reside in. I understand that there is a short term rental ban for guests stays shorter than 30 days. I believe that this by-law is very arbitrary and unconstitutional. It wasn’t thought through very well.
We, and the masses of other short term renters affected by this by-law are not standing in the way of solving any housing crisis. We are in fact providing housing that services vacationers to greater Victoria. This is a “tourist city” if there ever was one.
All anyone has to do is go onto the web sites for short term rentals and see how few there are compared to a year ago. How may vacationers and alike will be scrambling to find visiter accommodation. They will be sadly disappointed and likely stay away altogether. Think of the businesses, shops and restaurants that will struggle even more than they already are.
Many of us are considering action against the town of View Royal. We don’t know how that will look right now but if you have not noticed people wronged all over the world are taking it to the streets.
I’ve made my point rather blunt and it wasn’t to seem rude. I / we are very angered by the arbitrary manner that this by-laww was floated through.
In this day in age people are fed up with governments telling them what is right and what is wrong.
I’m hoping to receive an explanation and opening a dialogue on this.
Please re-consider this by-law, Let use provide an important service to the tourist wanting to visit our city and surrounding area.
"If you build it they will come". "Stand in their way and they won’t".
I ask that you acknowledge receipt of this message. If it is re-directed to a specific dept. or person pleas let me know who to follow up with.
Respectfully
Greg Smith
High Street.