The City of Calgary and University of Calgary (UCalgary) researchers are launching the first phase of a two-part public engagement on short-term rentals (STRs). This initiative is one component of a multi-year research collaboration between The City of Calgary and UCalgary aimed at developing an evidence-based policy framework for STRs adaptable to market conditions.
"In this first phase of engagement, we are asking Calgarians and interested parties to share their experiences with short-term rentals in Calgary," said Ulrik Seward, Manager of Business and Building Safety at The City of Calgary. "We are now looking to Calgarians to help us uncover issues and opportunities related to short-term rentals and will ultimately inform our thinking about different regulatory approaches."
From Oct. 19-Dec. 31, 2023, Calgarians are encouraged to complete an online survey to share insights about how and why they participate in the STR market, how STRs impact communities and what they see as current and future concerns. As well, the UCalgary research team is engaging several interested groups, including STR operators, community associations and representatives from the tourism, business and housing sectors, through targeted focus groups and interviews to round out their findings.
"The landscape of the market and the policy context have both evolved since Calgary adopted rules for short-term rentals in 2020," said Dr. Lindsay Tedds, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Calgary. "Through this research partnership with The City, we are developing a data-driven and engagement-informed understanding of the market and the opportunities and pressures it creates. As importantly, we are mobilizing this knowledge to set out implementable policy advice to inform how Calgary manages short-term rentals."
Administration and UCalgary are expected to deliver a final report and recommendations to Council in December 2024. Participation in this study will provide important information and insight to the UCalgary research team regarding the dynamics and nuances of Calgary's short-term rental market, its impacts, its challenges and potential.
Stay informed about The City of Calgary's ongoing collaboration with UCalgary by visiting our dedicated portal page: engage.calgary.ca/STR. To learn more about short-term rentals in Calgary visit Calgary.ca/STR. The number of licensed short term rentals in Calgary can also be found via the interactive map tool here.
About the Short-Term Rental Study:
Through the Urban Alliance partnership, UCalgary and The City of Calgary are collaborating on a multi-year study to improve how short-term rentals are regulated in our city. The research study aims to create a customized policy framework for short-term rentals in Calgary. The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has assessed and approved this study (REB23-0923)
