The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands council has decided to continue the existing approach of enforcement to address complaints regarding short term rentals.
That approach involves enforcement of existing bylaws through administrative monetary penalties.
If there is a material increase in the number of complaints regarding short term rentals, staff will bring a report forward to council with further recommendations for enforcement.
In June, to address questions raised regarding bylaw enforcement and resourcing to support bylaw enforcement outside of township business hours, council approved a resolution that increased fines for second and subsequent offences, to address concerns identified by the public regarding noise, property standards and safe properties, and to address survey input received regarding short-term rentals.
Council also directed staff to increase the fines in the noise bylaw to provide greater cost recovery for the addition of evening and weekend enforcements; authorized staff to amend the existing contract with Frontenac Municipal Bylaw Enforcement to include enforcement for calls regarding noise outside of township business hours; and directed that costs incurred for the bylaw enforcement contract be funded from the bylaw enforcement operating budget;
In accordance with the above-noted resolution, staff amended the service contract with Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement to include evening and weekend response to concerns regarding noise complaints.
To date, Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement has not received any calls for enforcement, staff noted, and the Ontario Provincial Police have not contacted bylaw enforcement staff regarding any calls outside of regular township operating hours.
Staff will continue to track complaints related to short term rentals. Should there be a noticeable increase in complaints, staff will report to council and propose options for further measures.