Question 5
5- Would you consider implementing a tax increase for homeowners who use their homes for less than three months a year?
Al Anderson
The empty house tax is something i believe is being used in Vancouver. I'm not sure if provincial regulations allow it anywhere else because Vancouver operates under different legislation than other municipalities. It's worth looking into. It is difficult to implement and enforce.
Andrea McQuade
coming soon
Britt Chalmers
I believe the municipality has no say in taxes.
Chris Heisterman
Yes, I would consider it. Out of town buyers do drive up the cost of homes for local residents. I would also consider business licensing fees for short term rentals that favour residents more than out of town owners.
Craig Heber
I would consider implementing this tax.These owners whether an investment 2nd home or they only use it between 'rentals' or in off-season are part of the cause of the housing prices in Tofino and shortages for locals thus they ought to pay more so these negative effects on residents can be resolved. It's only fair.
Dorothy Baert
Are we talking about 2 homes or 20, or 100? My short answer is No. These are private homes for which they pay taxes and water infrastructure costs. There could be as many reasons as there are homes as to why they are unoccupied for periods of time. I know that one of those homes was built in the early 1970s and is used for multiple generations as a place for family reconnection. Should they be punished because they had the foresight to build before almost anyone heard of Tofino? Do we know how they will use it in the future? Who will keep track of their use?
Duncan McMaster
Although I am in favour of this, it is beyond Municipal Jurisdiction and would be an issue for the Province. Policing this would be another concern.
Eric Kingsley
Yes
Jarmo Venalainen
I personally don’t think it’s a good idea to tax lifestyles. What people choose to do with their private property should be their own business, as long as it is consistent with the zoning which we have collectively agreed on.
Jason Brown
No, not because I don't think they should be but because I think it would be an unrealistic policy to enforce. I feel the resources of the District should be directed to more feasible objectives such as bylaw enforcement on illegal vacation rentals, rezoning to allow smaller lots and completion of Affordable Housing Projects.
Josie Osborne
Municipalities cannot implement a vacancy tax without authority from the Province. After a significant lobbying effort, the City of Vancouver was granted the authority to implement a vacancy tax in 2017. Vancouver’s “Empty Homes Tax” applies a 1% tax on the assessed value of the home unless it is used as a principal residence or is rented for at least six months of the year, and the net revenues are invested into affordable housing initiatives. I think all municipalities in BC should be granted the authority to implement a vacancy tax should they choose to.
Stephanie Hugues
yes
Stephen Ashton
Yes
Tom Stere
I would have to investigate if the District of Tofino can implement such a tax increase to specific properties and what the criteria would look like to establish a three month residency and how that would be determined and enforced.