TOFINO, B.C. — The municipality of Tofino, B.C., is cracking down on homeowners listing properties for rent on Airbnb’s website.

Last March, Tofino’s municipal council voted to enforce the law with regard to unregulated and unlicensed rental properties within the region, which requires businesses to apply for rental licenses or face fines.

Mayor Josie Osborne says since the enforcement’s announcement, only 17 residents have applied for licenses to rent out their properties. Fines for failing to adhere to the municipality’s guidelines with regard to unsanctioned rental properties will begin in 2017.

While Osborne emphasized the clampdown is not a witch-hunt against Airbnb, she did say “This is a reasonable way to go about this. We don’t want to shut anyone who might have bookings down.”

Licenses vary in price based on the number of rooms available, with the most expensive license available for a $375 annual fee.

A spokesman for Airbnb says the company plans to work with the city.

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