Residents of Port Colborne have been asking council to do something about the nuisance caused by some short-term rental (STR) properties in their communities.
At its Oct. 11 meeting, Port Colborne council approved city staff’s recommendation to have all STRs register with the city.
Staff were also directed to draft a short-term rental registration bylaw to be presented before council in the first quarter of 2023.
Platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Ontario Cottage Rentals and Facebook are often used to showcase and process rentals, according to a city staff report.
Staff are prepared to issue Administrative Monetary Penalties for noise, parking and lot maintenance for any infractions that may occur.
At the meeting, council was presented with three options when it came to registering STRs.
The first option was the status quo.
The second option, recommended by staff, was for a mandatory registration of short-term rentals.
According to the report, “As part of the mandatory registration, additional AMPS fines could be created to deal with non-registered properties, operating with a suspended permit, and providing false information.”
This option would allow staff to track and fine STRs that do not comply.
The second option would include properties inside of the Sherkston Shores Resort.
The third option was for a fill licensing bylaw for short-term rental units.
This option, according to staff, could be “too costly” and “prove to be cost prohibitive.”
According to an estimate, Option 3 would require two full-time staff members and a vehicle. This option would have a total budget impact of approximately $175,000 per year.
For more information about short-term rentals in Port Colborne, visit www.portcolborne.ca/en/city-hall/short-term-rentals.aspx.