A Guide to Property Zoning & Covenants in Whistler

The following is designed to be a guide to some of the more commonly used terms when looking at Whistler Real Estate. Buyers are advised to confirm the zoning and permitted use of the Real Estate they are looking to buy.

Phase 1 and Tourist Accommodation TA zoning

This is generally considered unrestricted allowing the owner some flexibility and control over their property. With a Phase I covenant, the owner has unlimited personal use of their property. In addition, the property may be made available for nightly, short term or long term rental. This type of property is typically found in condominiums and townhomes in Whistler Village, Whistler Village North, the Benchlands, and Creekside Base and works best for owners wanting to choose their own rental management company and/or use the property personally. For investors these properties are mostly found within walking distance or short bus ride to the Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas and as such tend to provide a good return on investment through rental revenue.

Phase 2
Properties with a Phase II covenant are generally found in the larger Condo/Hotels properties such as the DELTA & WESTIN. The covenant restricts the level of Owner Use to 56 days per year – 28 days in the winter and 28 days in the summer. The remaining days the property is available for rental through the in-house rental agency (e.g. Four Seasons and Pan Pacific). All owners are in a Rental Pool where they are receiving a percentage of the Gross Rental Revenue for all the suites in the hotel for each night of occupancy. These styles of properties are best suited to those coming to Whistler a couple of weeks a year or investors interested in revenue producing properties with an in-house management company.

Rental Pool Management Agreement: each Residential Lot owner is entitled to payment each month of a proportionate share of the net revenues earned from the Rental Pool operation in respect of those days during the month the Residential Lot was available for rental to the public, after deduction of certain expenses, including the Manager’s remuneration and a reserve fund contribution, a franchise fee and corporate charges of the Manager or its affiliates.

Owner’s Use: If any Unit Owner wishes to use the Strata Lot in any Season, the Registered Owner must first reserve the use of the Strata Lot by completing and returning the Owner use calendar provided by the Manager at least 90 days prior to the commencement of such Season. In addition the Registered Owner may, at any time upon seven days prior written notice to the Manager, request the use of the Strata Lot of any Day or Days.

Residential Zoning

This zoning is predominantly found in the residential neighbourhoods surrounding Whistler’s centre such as Alpine Meadows, Whistler Cay Estates, White Gold etc. Properties zoned Residential maybe be used as your Primary residence, long-term/seasonal rentals or for personal and recreational use. They may not be used for commercial activities such as nightly or short-term rental (for example, AirBnB) which is definitely not permitted.