Council approves direction regarding five key decision points for licensing and regulating short-term rentals

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