Winnipeg council delays decision to regulate short-term rentals, votes to keep pit bull ban, scrap urban hens

A handful of Airbnb owners say they're in favour of city rules to make sure short-term rentals are safe, but hope Winnipeg won't simply adopt ideas from Toronto or other larger cities.

"Toronto is way bigger than Winnipeg, and shouldn't be used as an example for our city that's just on the cusp of growing," said Chibuzor Alumba, a Winnipegger who rents out an Airbnb.

The City of Winnipeg is looking at regulating short-term residential rentals — like the ones listed on Airbnb — to combat concerns about fairness in the hospitality market, noise in high-density areas and even criminal activity. 

City council voted Thursday to delay any decisions on this until next month's meeting.

If council eventually votes in favour, city staff will have to get feedback from Winnipeggers about what issues should be addressed by new rules, and look at Toronto's short-term rental rules to see what could apply to Winnipeg's situation — all within four months.

Those in the hotel industry are eager to have some restrictions, including limiting owners to only rent out parts of their own homes. That would wipe out those who own units specifically for short-term rentals.

"The primary residence requirement addresses safety issues that are so rampant right now due to operators with multiple units," said Scott Jocelyn, president and CEO of the Manitoba Hotel Association, who was at the council meeting.

He said short-term rentals threaten the prosperity of hotels in Winnipeg, especially after they suffered financial hits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule would make neighbours happy, too, he said.

"When people rent out their primary residence, there is a much higher level of responsibility and accountability to the neighbours and the neighborhood. A primary residence requirement also addresses the very negative impact that short-term rentals have on housing availability and affordability."

That doesn't sit well with some owners. Dominique Noel, who owns a bed and breakfast in St. Boniface that she rents out through Airbnb, said that rule would "devastate" her business.

Not just for travellers

Noel said her place welcomes not only travellers, but also newcomers, she said.

"Many of us hosts are actually the first point of contact for many of them, as they make up a good portion of our guests before settling into a home of their own," she told council on Thursday.

"My space acts as a place where a family can adapt to their new surroundings comfortably with a helping hand of their host."

Alumba said he believes there should be new rules, but there are many valid reasons people use short-term rentals — he's had someone from outside of Winnipeg use his space as a private home during chemotherapy.

"Let's make sure all parties are stopped in their tracks. Let's make sure our neighbours feel safe. Let's make sure there are fines for people who are not paying attention to their homes and their business. But let us not restrict and just stop servicing a wide range of people that need to use the service."

Pit bull ban stays in place, backyard chickens scrapped

Councillors voted 9-7 to keep the breed-specific dog ban in Winnipeg, meaning pit bulls are still not allowed within city limits.

Those who voted to keep the pitbull ban were Mayor Brian Bowman, Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), Coun. Scott Gillingham (St. James), Coun. Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West), Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital), Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights), Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) and Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan).

"We've heard at committee from veterinarians, including one who was very clear that a bite from a pit bull is very different than a chihuahua. They are different bites. Dogs do bite, but the bite from a pit bull can be deadly," Bowman told reporters Thursday. He said he believes this should be an upcoming election issue. Civic elections will be held across Manitoba on Oct. 26.

Council voted 9-7 to completely scrap a two-year pilot project to allow backyard chickens. Many councillors stated their concerns about avian flu in the province. 

The other option was to delay the pilot and come back to it in a year. 

Bowman, Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), Chambers, Mayes, Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), Schreyer and Sharma voted to come back to the pilot in a year.

Council also voted to restrict designated cannabis growers to industrial areas only. They also asked city staff to research creating a licensing system for those growers.