Published on Wednesday, 31 March 2021 at 5:18:25 PM

The rules around low-impact short stay accommodation are set to be simplified in Vincent after Council approved changes to the way the City manages temporary accommodation.

The changes will streamline the approvals process for low-risk short stays while giving hosts more guidance and ensuring good management of guests.

Under the changes, people who live in town centres or commercial areas may be able to rent out their homes for short-term accommodation for up to three months a year without planning approval.

Homeowners in these areas will be able to welcome up to four guests or a family into their home at any one time without approval under certain circumstances.

People in residential areas will be able to have up to two people or a family stay at their home without planning approval, but residential home sharing will be limited to a single stay for up to three months within one year.

The rules around bed and breakfast accommodation or houses with a live-in host have been even further simplified, with these types of short stays considered very low risk.

“Until now anyone who wanted to open up their doors to holidaymakers or housesitters in Vincent needed to get planning approval,” said Mayor Emma Cole.

“Online accommodation sharing platforms are incredibly popular, but it was very rare for homeowners to actually seek any approvals before welcoming their guests.

“These changes will make our rules around temporary accommodation more contemporary, taking into account the scale of the short stay, the location of the home and the impact on neighbours.

“They will give homeowners more clarity and guidance and will help us have a better oversight and management of house sharing and short-stay accommodation in our community.

“We think this strikes the balance between looking after our community and the integrity of our neighbourhoods while giving homeowners the option to host and holiday.”

Homeowners will have to provide written notification, a management plan and a code of conduct to address potential uses such as noise, parking and impact on neighbours.

Anyone who wants to use their home as a more permanent holiday rental will still need to apply for planning approval.

The City is seeking final approval on the changes from the Western Australian Planning Commission and expects the new rules to come into effect in about three months.

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