The Town of Collingwood will begin licensing short-term rental units in the new year, starting first with new and existing bed-and-breakfast businesses.
Short-term accommodation (rentals under 30 days) such as Airbnb is not permitted in Collingwood currently, unless through a bed-and-breakfast business. Since the last municipal election, council has weighed the merits of a licensing regime and decided to move forward with one with the final decision taking place in November.
The short-term accommodation licensing bylaw includes a two-phase approach that begins with bed-and-breakfast businesses. The second phase will complete the licensing program with the remaining short-term rental types, but the number of licences issued by the town will be limited.
According to the rules put forward in November to council, Under the new rules, the licensee will be responsible for maintaining a guest register which indicates the guests’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, number of guests, length of stay, and confirmation that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been checked and are in working condition after guests leave. The licensee is also responsible for monitoring guests' compliance with existing town bylaws.
Any advertisements for short-term rentals in Collingwood will have to include a licence number.
Enforcement will be triggered by complaints for now, with monetary fines and demerit points against the licensee, which could result in the licence suspension.
"Thank you to all community members and stakeholders for your invaluable input and active participation in shaping the town's approach to short-term accommodation,” said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin in a news release from the town. “The licensing program represents a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to regulate, limit and manage short-term accommodation within our community, ensuring they contribute positively to the town while respecting the character and quality of our neighbourhoods."
‘Short-term accommodation’ is defined as the use of a dwelling unit, or any part thereof, as a home occupation, that is operating or offering a place of temporary residence, lodging or occupancy by way of concession, permit, lease, licence, rental agreement, or similar commercial arrangement for any period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less, throughout all or any part of a calendar year.
Short-term accommodation does not mean or include a hotel, motel or similar commercial accommodation use, but includes a bed and breakfast as set out in the Town’s Zoning By-law No. 2010-040.
Short-term rentals are still forbidden in Collingwood except for bed-and-breakfasts. And will remain prohibited until the licensing regime is in place and operators get a licence.
Bed-and-breakfast operators will have between Feb. 1 and March 1 to apply for a licence. Owners and operators will have to comply with the Zoning By-law No. 2010-040 and the STA Licensing By-law No. 2023-085.
The next phase of the licensing program will have to wait for the new official plan and a zoning bylaw amendment before it is implemented. Staff estimate this will happen in the latter portion of 2024.
To review the background reports, applicable by-laws, and other important information regarding the short-term rental licensing program, visit the town's site at www.collingwood.ca/
- With files from Jessica Owen
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