A court decision might change Seguin Township’s approach to short-term rentals.
Last March, the Superior Court of Ontario ruled that municipalities have the legal right to regulate short-term rental operations through licensing programs, following a legal dispute between the Township of Tiny and an short-term rental association.
On Aug. 5, Seguin council passed a motion — introduced by Coun. Greg Getty, — directing staff to investigate the implementation of a licensing program.
This comes after council opposed licensing short-term rentals in 2023, maintaining an earlier decision that short-term rentals aren’t allowed on waterfront properties under zoning rules. Council first considered regulating the industry in 2017.
The municipality doesn’t have a licensing program in place, but it does have “quality of life bylaws,” said Seguin’s chief administrative officer Jason Inwood.
“This series of bylaws attempts to manage inappropriate behaviour associated with short-term rentals, like noise complaints, nuisance complaints or even illegal parking,” Inwood told the North Star.
He adds the township “routinely” receives complaints related to short-term rentals, especially coming from those who live close to a rental.
While current bylaws might help township staff address complaints, they fall short when it comes to preventing issues.
A licensing program would require property owners to obtain a licence from the township and ensure their rentals operate under specific regulations established by the municipality.
Township staff are investigating how to implement a licensing program in the municipality and will “likely” bring a report to council in October.