The RMOW is committed to ensuring Whistler workforce are not displaced during the Games. There have been a lot of questions about the Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TCUP) and how it will impact Games-time accommodations in Whistler. The RMOW is doing all it can to inform tenants of their rights, including their rights as they relate to the TCUP.

The process for applying for a temporary commercial use permit (TCUP) includes five safeguards to ensure tenants are not pushed out of their rentals and that the application is legally allowable:

1. Statutory Declaration: The property owner must provide a statutory declaration certifying they have not had a tenant for the last 12 months. This statutory declaration will be compared against a tenant registry where tenants can document their concerns around potential eviction.
2. Tenant Registry: All tenants are able to sign up for the tenant registry. The registry is for all those tenants who are concerned they may be evicted as a result of the Games. To access the tenant registry, renters should send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name, address, details of their lease and as many tenancy details as possible, as soon as possible.
3. Background Check: The property owner must not have a history of illegal renting.
4. Ensuring the following classes of dwelling are not included in the TCUP application:
   a. Rental suites or dwelling units that are subject to a housing agreement or a restriction to occupancy by employees, dwelling units that are subject to a residential tenancy agreement.
   b.  Dwelling units that are subject to a prohibition on tourist accommodation uses in any restrictive covenant, building scheme or strata corporation bylaw.
   c.  Dwelling units that have any outstanding violation of the B.C. Building Code or the RMOW Building Bylaw.Dwelling units that are subject to a prohibition on tourist accommodation uses in any restrictive covenant, building scheme or strata corporation bylaw.
   d.  Dwelling units that have any outstanding violation of the B.C. Building Code or the RMOW Building Bylaw.
5. Title Search: The application must be accompanied by a title search dated within 30 days of the application date. If the applicant wishes the RMOW may fulfill this requirement for a fee of $20.
   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The comprehensive list of questions and answers below aims to provide the community with the information they need about Games-time accommodation. If we have missed important information, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is the purpose of the TCUP?
The purpose of a Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TCUP) is to enable the municipality to approve temporary accommodation to house Games workforce in areas where the Zoning Bylaw does not allow temporary accommodation. Housing Games workforce (media, volunteers, paid staff, and contractors associated with the Games) in Whistler is a critical component of hosting extraordinary Games. The TCUP is designed to make private homes in Whistler neighbourhoods available for rent to Games workforce, should the owner be interested in renting.

How long will it be in effect?
The Workforce TCUP will expire at the end of the contract for workforce accommodation as will be noted on the permit.

What measures will be in place to ensure Whistler residents are not displaced by property owners applying for an accommodation TCUP?
Protecting workforce accommodation is a priority for the RMOW. This means that many checks and balances will be done prior to a TCUP application being approved.

1. Applicants will have to provide a signed statutory declaration that they have not, or are not displacing a tenant. An exception may be made if a tenant provides written notification that he/she is voluntarily leaving the premise for the Games period.
2. There will be a voluntary registry of tenants who do not want to be evicted or displaced. To access the tenant registry, renters should send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with their name, address, details of their lease and as many tenancy details as possible, as soon as possible.

What should tenants do if landlords refuse to renew leases through the winter of 2010?
Tenants are encouraged to contact either the B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch (www.rto.gov.bc.ca) or the Tenants Rights Action Coalition (www.tenants.bc.ca) if tenants feel they have been unfairly treated or evicted. 

To report zoning infractions, residents should contact the RMOW Bylaw Department at 604-935-8280 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What classes of dwelling units are not eligible for a TCUP?
•    Rental suites, dwelling units that are subject to a housing agreement or a restriction to occupancy by employees, dwelling units that are subject to a residential tenancy agreement, or are occupied by employees at the time of permit application, or within the preceding 12 months of the Games.
•    Dwelling units that are subject to a prohibition on tourist accommodation uses in any restrictive covenant, building scheme or strata corporation bylaw.
•    Dwelling units that have any outstanding violation of the B.C. Building Code or the RMOW Building Bylaw.

What checks and balances will be done when the application is being processed?
Once an application has been completed and submitted, RMOW will conduct the following checks on the application.
1.    Has the property owner had a tenant in the last year?
2.    Has the property owner refused to extend the lease of a tenant in the last year?
3.    Is the dwelling unit subject to a housing agreement or a restriction to occupancy by employees?
4.    Is there a contract in place with an approved Games workforce client?
5.    What, if any, public comments have been received on the application?
6.    Is there a history of illegal renting?

If the application fails to meet the appropriate checks, then the application will be denied. In this way, the RMOW is doing all it can to ensure Whistler workforce are not displaced during the Games.