On November 30, residents and short-term rental property owners in East Hawkesbury had the opportunity to share their views on a proposed by-law which would if adopted, regulate short-term rental accommodations in the township.
The bylaw is being proposed after the township received complaints from Front Road residents about a waterfront short-term rental accommodation during the previous summer. There were 15 residents and rental property owners in the audience at the meeting in the Chute-à-Blondeau Community Centre.
The proposed by-law would require short-term rental property owners who list their accommodations on sites, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, to purchase a yearly licence of $1,000 from the township and be subjected to inspection from bylaw enforcement personnel. Property owners could have their licence suspended or revoked if they violate township by-laws, or provincial and federal laws.
The proposed bylaw would limit short-term rentals to properties, which are the principal residence of the property owner.
Currently, East Hawkesbury does not have 24-hour by-law enforcement. A resident asked who he was supposed to call about noise violations during the night.
Mayor Robert Kirby said the bylaw would have to be approved before changes are made to enforcement procedures.
Following the comments received at the meeting on November 30, changes will be made to the proposed Hawkesbury short-term rental bylaw, and it will go before council for further discussion at the next meeting, to be held on December 12 at 6:30 p.m., at the municipal office on County Road 14 in St-Eugène.