Niagara Falls will allow owner-occupied vacation rentals in residential areas.
Although B&Bs are allowed in various residential and commercial zones within Niagara Falls, vacation rentals are currently only allowed in commercial zones.
Despite that, the city estimates there are more than 1,000 unlicensed vacation-rental units in many in residential areas across the city.
The issue has posed challenges for bylaw enforcement officers responding to issues involving vacation-rental unit renters and full-time residents of neighbourhoods, mostly due to inconsiderate guests and/or hosts.
Staff presented council with a report Tuesday to see if politicians would be amenable to licensing short-term rentals in legal and safe units if the property is owner-occupied, similar to a B&B.
Council agreed to permit the use of a qualifying rental unit for short-term rental (28 days or less) in a residential area if it’s licensed and meets building code requirements as a self-contained dwelling unit.
He said with limited bylaw enforcement resources, staff should focus their attention on problematic vacation rentals currently in Niagara Falls.
The city recently amended its bylaw and enforcement approach to be more successful in bringing charges against owners of illegal vacation rental units.
Mayor Jim Diodati said there is a vacation rental operating on his street without any problems, adding such accommodations are ideal for travelling families with pets, as most hotels don’t allow pets.
Coun. Mona Patel said allowing owner-occupied sites in residential areas will spread visitors across the city, benefitting restaurants and stores outside the main tourist districts.