WA releases draft planning policy on unregulated accommodation

Abstract

Proposals including a cap on nights booked in unhosted short-term rental accommodation are one of a number of recommendations open for consultation by the Western Australia state government as part of a new draft planning policy.

The new Draft Position Statement: Planning for Tourism and Guidelines report aims to put local councils in control of how private units, apartments and homes within their jurisdictions could be offered and operated for short-term rentals on websites such as Airbnb and other home-share platforms.

Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO Bradley Woods said, “the Draft Position Statement proposes a regulatory model that will allow genuine, hosted home sharing to continue, but will see proper regulation of unlicensed commercial accommodation services.”

Comment is being sought from local councils on whether owners of such properties should be exempt from local planning and development laws.