After about a year in the making, Haliburton Council got a look at bylaws that guide the regulating and licensing of short-term property rentals.
The first was a draft registration bylaw which would require STR operators to register their properties in the near term in order to determine the magnitude of this type of business activity on Haliburton’s lakes.
The second was a draft licensing bylaw which had the effect of regulating STRs over the long term.
The most recent information the county has indicates there are close to 1,500 short-term properties for rent in Haliburton County. Third-party service providers will engage those operators, inform them that short-term rentals are now regulated by a municipality within the county and they need to be licensed.
Those third-party service providers will ensure compliance to regulations about bedroom restrictions, fire alarm performance, and septic system effectiveness.
Regardless of whether the short-term rental program is administered at the county level or the municipal level, there needs to be an effective inspection program, said Michael Rutter, the county clerk/CAO.
A third-party service could ensure somebody is on hand to respond to late-night complaints about neighbours having large parties.
Council is taking their time on due diligence to make sure they choose the best means to license and regulate STRs.