Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law Effective March 1, 2024

City Council, at its meeting held on December 4 approved the Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law that will come into effect March 1, 2024. 

The Short-Term Rental (STR) Licensing program will require all STR operators in the City to acquire a licence and to operate within parameters set out in the by-law. The STR Licensing program includes the following: 

• An annual licence for any residence that offers rentals of twenty-eight (28) days or less.  
• Licences will not be transferable. 
• Licences will not be granted where a residence has outstanding enforcement issues or City arrears. 
• A licence can be suspended or revoked if there have been three (3) or more contraventions of City by-laws within a six-month period or four (4) or more contraventions of City by-laws within a calendar year. 
• On-site parking will be limited to the number of vehicles the property can accommodate as determined by the City during the application process. 
• The STR will only be permitted in an owner’s principal residence. 
• There is a rental cap of 180 days per year. 
• There are no separate rentals permitted for individuals or groups that do not know each other. 
• Licences will permit two (2) people per legal bedroom and two (2) people in the common area to a maximum of eight (8) people. 
• The application fee is $500 per year. 

Bed and Breakfasts are excluded from the rental cap, group rental, and occupancy provisions outlined above. 

The STR By-law provides additional enforcement options for officers and there will be offences for: 

• Advertising without a licence. 
• Advertising without the licence number. 
• Advertising in contravention of the by-law. 
• Not displaying the licence at the property. 
• Not providing the Visitor Code of Conduct to renters. 

The City’s website is the best place to find information on the Short-Term Rental Licensing program. The website will be updated throughout the program implementation.  

For more information, please contact Briana Bloomfield, City Clerk at 519-376-4440 ext. 1247 or email bbloomfield@owensound.ca. 

Quick Facts: 

• The application form will be available through the City’s website in February 2024. 
• Complaints and violations will be tracked. 
• STRs will be subject to the Municipal Accommodation Tax. 

-30- 

Attachments