As concerns about short term rentals (STR) such as AirBnb pop up in numerous municipalities around Ontario, city council has given the green light to a host of regulations on STRs within Orillia.
Among the new rules are a $2,000 annual licensing fee payable to the city, a requirement for STR operators to pay the 4% municipal accommodation tax (MAT), and a discretionary $200 charge for bylaw enforcement inspections that arise from complaints.
With the regulations set to roll out on Jan. 1, 2024, some of the additional rules to be imposed on STRs are as follows:
- Requiring proof of insurance from STR owners of no less than $2 million, per occurrence, for property damage and bodily injury;
- Imposing a demerit point system for infractions, providing the city with the authority to revoke STR licences after 15 demerit points;
- Prohibiting more than 150 short-term rentals from operating in the city at any time;
- Prohibiting more than two persons per bedroom on the property between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and a maximum of 10 people regardless of the number of bedrooms;
- Requiring signs, to be visible from the road, detailing the maximum occupancy for the STR, its address, rental contact information, and city bylaw contact information;
- Requiring a “responsible person” to be available 24/7, and within one hour of any request to deal with complaints regarding an STR.
City staff plan on hiring an employee, starting in October, to prepare the city for enforcing the regulations in 2024, as well as an additional seasonal staffer to assist with the high demand periods through the busier tourist season.
Council’s decision on Monday is subject to ratification at its next meeting on Aug. 14.