The township is investigating how to regulate short-term rental accommodation just in time for the summer holidays.
To be discussed at a Mapleton council meeting next Tuesday, a new staff report recommends amendments to the township’s zoning bylaw to establish a comprehensive licensing bylaw for short-term rental accommodations (STRAs) and determine whether they are permitted anywhere in the municipality.
According to the report, the proposed licensing program intends to create equal standards for all STRA accommodations while creating a registry that will help promote tourism and reassure potential renters that the property complies with various regulatory requirements.
Using nearby municipalities as a reference, staff said bed and breakfast establishments within primary residential or primarily commercial areas are traditionally permitted but the township has started to see more situations where there is no principal resident and the property is solely for commercial use.
While there is a need for short-term accommodations in Mapleton, staff said regulations are needed because they’re concerned converting residential units to 100 per cent commercial will diminish the ARU and long-term rental supply.
A public meeting to discuss the bylaw will be scheduled in the future.