Short Term Rental (STR) Licensing
What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?
In the Draft By-law, "Short-Term Rental" means a structure or part thereof which is used for temporary lodging for a rental period of 28 consecutive days or less in exchange for payment and includes a bed and breakfast, hotel, motel, and inn, but does not include short-term accommodations where there is no payment.
Why is Council considering licensing Short-Term Rentals?
We recognize that STRs provide a valuable service to our community by providing additional accommodation options to visitors attending community events, visiting families, or simply enjoying the environment. STRs are also a good way for residents to bring in extra income.
That said, some residents have voiced concerns about increased noise, parking, safety concerns, and other frustrations related to short-term rentals in their neighbourhood and a lack of response from absent property owners.
Several municipalities have taken various approaches to regulating STRs, often adopting by-laws to license and regulate STRs based on local needs and issues.
Those with a regulatory approach have been able to respond to resident issues. Where available housing for long-term residents or unfair competition with traditional accommodation has been a concern, the regulatory approach has been used to address these concerns.
The Town launched a survey in January 2024 to obtain public input on whether or not there was an appetite to license and regulate the short-term rental market in Kingsville. Administration presented the survey results at a Committee of the Whole Meeting in May, and the Committee provided direction to Administration for certain inclusions in the Draft By-law.
We recommend you also review the presentation slides from our September 24, 2024, Public Information Meeting to gain insight into the main highlights of the proposed By-law. Watch the recording of the September 24, 2024, Public Information Meeting.
What are the next steps?
Based on the public consultation conducted on the ORIGINAL Draft By-law, Administration incorporated the following amendments in the REVISED Draft By-law 82-2024:
- Clarified definition of “Agent”
- Removed requirement that the Town be named as additional insured on requisite policies
- Amended the Maximum Occupancy to be calculated as 2 people per bedroom, plus an additional 2 people
- Amended the fee structure and parking requirements based on the new calculation of Maximum Occupants
- Clarified response time of Agents and removed specific times for phone calls – Agents must be able to attend the property within 60 minutes
- Removed the prohibition that only allows sleeping in designated bedrooms
The REVISED Draft By-law 82-2024 will be presented at the Monday, November 4, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council, if you would like to comment on the Draft By-law, as recommended, please email council@kingsville.ca or request to delegate.
Comments about the Draft By-law
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Who's Listening
-
Chief Administrative Officer
-
-
-
Attended the meeting at the Grovedale and reviewed the bylaw. At the meeting one of speakers stated they want to control STR so that a whole street does not end up being overrun. Will there be close monitoring if someone applies for a licence and the town checks to see how many STR are already on that particular street? Also if a resident suspects a certain home is being used as a STR would calling the Hotline number be the appropriate approach for the town to investigate if indeed the unit is licensed to operate?
The draft should include a provision for STR in residential areas to be also occupied by the owner at time of lease.
How do you address a STR being used for sorority and wedding functions where 100 + people attend parties. 50 vehicles parked outside the property, blocking cycle lanes and driveways. This has occurred regularly on Heritage Road this past 2 years. If licensed for 12 occupants then restrictions should be in place to restrict or limit additional visitors.
I live on Cedar Island, and there are 14 STRs on the Island, which is more than 10% of the total homes there. The STR next to me advertises as sleeping 16, (some of the bedrooms sleep 4) so should be classified as Commercial, but it likely isn’t.
Businesses like these really need to be looked at, and there are a number of them in the area.
Judi Lacey
Draft is reasonable.
I have reviewed your draft by-law in respect to short-term rentals. I live in a HOA and all within the HOA have severe reservations in respect to a property within our HOA becoming a short term rental. We are regulated through our by-laws which guide the rules and regulations in respect to our residential properties. I see nothing in your bylaw that reflects the nature of HOA’s, Condo’s and similar arrangements where they are in our case non-profit with specific bylaws. I have included Toronto’s stance in respect to these properties for your perusal and consideration. (See below)
“Your Condo Building’s by-laws may legally prohibit short term rentals like Airbnb. Before determining whether you should list your condo on Airbnb, its best to check the by-laws first. Your condominium corporation can deny you the right to list your property short term, even though the new airbnb rules in Toronto permit you to do so. You can do so by inquiring with the management company or, ordering a Status Certificate.”
Respectfully submitted.
It looks reasonable and clear.
I'm in favor.
The draft bylaw is a good start, but more needs to be done. In my opinion strict definitions of what a STR can and cannot legally be or do in a residential area are needed.