Two-Week Comment Period - Open until June 17, 2025

Residents are invited to view the DRAFT By-law to license, regulate and govern the provision of short-term rentals in the Municipality of Central Elgin including bed and breakfast establishments, inns, Short-Term Rentals, hostels, rooming houses and boarding houses.

View the Draft By-Law.

Comments can be submitted HERE:

At the May 12, 2025 Regular meeting of Central Elgin Council, Council directed staff to prepare a draft Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing By-law that is based on and incorporates the following principles:

1. THAT licenses not be restricted to principle residences and can be issued to those dwellings that are not a principle residence;

2. THAT short-term rentals are allowed in all zones permitting a residential use and the number of licenses issued not be subject to any caps or limitations;

3. THAT licensees prior to issuance be required to complete an inspections for Fire Code compliance and provided written attestations of Building Code compliance, with the possibility of building inspections being conducted to confirm compliance;

4. THAT a single license fee is applied to every licensed short-term rental unit;

5. THAT any enforcement measures be implemented through Notices of Violation;

THAT Staff be directed to post the draft Licensing By-law for a two-week public comment period.

With Council's decision on these five key decision points, Staff will draft a Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing By-law. The draft by-law will be posted on the Let’s Talk project page for a two-week public comment period before a finalized by-law is considered by Council at the June 16th Regular meeting. Staff continue to welcome feedback both directly and through the public survey that will remain active throughout the summer.

A report with further detail regarding resource requirements and program financial structure will be brought forward for Council consideration in June. Over the summer, Staff will gather data and prepare to implement set fines in advance of the program launch. In fall, the program will be finalized with resources and technology implemented in preparation for the period in which operators are required to become licensed.

View the Presentation and Report presented to Council on May 12:

Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing Program Presentation

Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing By-law Report

Update: Short-Term Rental Licensing Program

Staff have prepared a report for Council’s consideration at the May 12 Council meeting (7 p.m.). The report outlines five key decision points for licensing and regulating short-term rentals in Central Elgin.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback and participated in the process. Staff have carefully reviewed community feedback, conducted extensive research, consulted with comparable municipalities across Ontario, and considered technical input from Planning, Fire, Building, Legal, and Administrative departments.

The proposed framework aims to balance the needs of STR operators and residents—while keeping things efficient for everyone involved.

The purpose of this Report is to obtain Council direction regarding five key decision points for licensing and regulating short-term rentals (STRs) in Central Elgin to assist with the preparation for a draft Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing By-law.

View the Council meeting agenda and full report here: Central Elgin - Meeting Information

Thank you to everyone who attended the Community Open Houses on March 25 and March 26, 2025, in Belmont and Port Stanley.

The presentation boards can be viewed here.

Based on insights received during the round-table discussion with stakeholders and the community feedback gathered during the open houses and online survey, staff will be drafting a licensing by-law and report to Council for consideration in May.

Staff presented the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Project Roadmap Report at the February 10, 2025 meeting of Council.

Council approved the Report and directed that staff develop a Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licensing Program, with the guiding principles being revenue neutrality, safety-orientation, and development through community consultation to ensure a localized approach.