Short Term Rental Accommodations

Many communities across the globe are grappling with proliferation of short term rental accommodation uses in their areas, aided by web based platforms that simplify the activity for both operators and users. This has led to many Ontario Municipalities taking a variety of approaches to address this matter. These approaches range from relying on existing by-laws to address issues to outright prohibiting short term rentals.

As a result of concerns amongst the community, Council is interested in exploring different options to regulate Short Term Rentals.

The Township's understanding of the community concerns raised thus far can be grouped into two broader categories below:

• behavioural concerns and resulting impacts to the peaceful enjoyment of surrounding properties; and
• environmental concerns primarily surrounding servicing capacity.

Options to address these concerns need to be tailored to the issue, as different legislative tools are appropriate for different controls. A licensing by-law has been shown to be an effective tool in mitigating concerns surrounding behavioural matters and servicing. This would be achieved through an application and review process with the ability to require a code of conduct attestation, on-site or prompt management, and the revocation or suspension of licenses among other enforcement tools.

Up to this point, an extensive amount of research and work has already taken place on the issue, and the Township is now seeking public input on the details surrounding a Short Term Rental Licensing By-Law and what the public would like to see within a draft by-law.