And yet  Richmond rarely enforces their housing bylaws.

Large homes on agricultural land have been acting like hotels,  and yet the city has not charged any of them.   Richmond claims enforcement in the face of language challenges, tracking down the owner,  and  finding "proof" is just too difficult.  

“It’s a logistical nightmare trying to control something that can’t be controlled in a sharing economy,” explained Coun. Ken Johnston".

“I’m wondering if we’re getting overly excited about people having hotels in houses,” said Coun. Loo"

Despite over 1500 rentals listed on Air BnB, and many more on Chinese language sites, over a 100  complaints from neighbours last year, the city rep Townsend states that:

"listing a house with multiple rooms is not evidence of money being exchanged"

So hey - no enforcement.