Short Term Rental Accommodations

On Tuesday February 13, members of the public were invited to provide feedback on the draft short term rental accommodation licensing by-law. In follow-up, Staff will bring a report to Planning Committee that will summarize both the comments made at the meeting and written comments received, and include recommendations based on comments received.

At the October 12^th, 2023 Planning Committee meeting, Committee discussed the draft Short Term Rental Licensing By-law at length and have directed staff to include a number of provisions within the draft By-law for the public’s consideration and comment.

Meeting minutes, as well as a link to the draft by-law can be found under Important Links.

The draft by-law along with recommendations made by Committee will be heard at a future Public Meeting that will take place in early 2024. Stay tuned for the release of this date in the near future! If you wish to speak during this Public Meeting, after the date has been scheduled and released to the public, please visit the Township Website.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Committee will hold a Public Meeting on February 13^th, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to receive feedback and comments from the community on the draft Short Term Rental Licensing By-law to inform future discussions and decisions made regarding the regulation of Short Term Rental Accommodations in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Members of the public are invited to review the draft Short Term Rental Licensing By-law. An updated version of which will include the recommendations made by Planning Committee from the October 12^th, 2023.

Any person may make verbal representation by participating either in person or via the ZOOM meeting and/or may make written representation before or after the meeting. Comments can be submitted by emailing bylaw@muskokalakes.ca or by regular mail or the Municipal Office drop box outside the main entrance to the Municipal Office located at 1 Bailey St., Port Carling. The deadline to submit written comments regarding this subject is February 26th, 2024.

For more information on how to participate in this meeting, please look at the meeting agenda.

Please be advised that there will be a Draft Short Term Rental Accommodation By-Law presented to Planning Committee on Thursday October 12, 2023.

More information and the draft by-law can be found on our Government Portal.

Please reach out to Rob Kennedy, Chief By-law Enforcement Officer, at rkennedy@muskokalakes.ca with any questions.

On Friday July 14, the Township hosted an Open House to collect feedback about Short Term Rentals. If you were unable to attend this meeting, or the in person meeting on Tuesday July 18, please watch the reply, or read the live chat. The survey will be live until Friday July 21, 2023.

As part of Council’s exploration of potential options to regulate short term rentals in Muskoka Lakes, the Township is hosting two Open Houses to share information and hear the community’s thoughts about this initiative.

A virtual information session will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Registration information for this virtual information session is required and can be completed on Event Brite.

The second session will be held in-person on Tuesday July 18, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Port Carling Community Centre.

Each Open House will begin with a brief presentation, followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions and provide their feedback regarding short term rentals.

In addition to these Open Houses, the community is encouraged to fill out the survey.