While neighbouring municipalities Bluewater and Lambton Shores have approved short-term rental bylaws, South Huron has so far not seen the need to develop its own regulations.
Communications and strategic initiatives manager Scott Currie presented an update on short-term accommodations (STAs) at South Huron council’s May 21 meeting, noting that regulations around such accommodations are “rapidly changing” in the midst of a “nationwide housing shortage.”
In his report, Currie defined STAs as homes, cottages or apartments for rent on a short-term basis of less than 30 days. He said the actual number of STAs in South Huron is unknown, but is likely lower than in Lambton Shores and Bluewater. Currie said there are 470 STA units registered in Lambton Shores’ program, while there are 206 STA licences in Bluewater, which may have as many as 498 units.
South Huron staff scanned multiple STA listing platforms in May and found 55 units available for summer rental in South Huron.
The municipality’s lack of an STA bylaw was brought up by Coun. Marissa Vaughan, who said she wanted to see the situation continually monitored. Vaughan said “a substantial subdivision” is being developed along South Huron’s lakeshore so expressed concern that buyers could be purchasing the houses as investments rather than homes.
Chief administrative officer Rebekah Msuya-Collison said staff will continue to monitor South Huron’s STAs.
Asked by Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich what authority the municipality has over STAs since it has no specific bylaw, clerk Alex Wolfe said complaints regarding STAs, such as noise, garbage or animals, often fall under the municipality’s already existing bylaws.
Still, Dietrich said he remains concerned that South Huron has no formal STA bylaw.
Msuya-Collison noted the regulations in Lambton Shores and Bluewater are licensing bylaws, which would involve staff time and another level of service South Huron doesn’t now provide. She questioned whether South Huron has enough STAs to justify moving to a licensing program but said ultimately it’s a council decision.
In his report, Currie said staff is aware of two independent records regarding STAs in the past 18 months: one individual made several noise complaints in 2023 and 2024 about a neighbouring property that was operating as an STA, while an individual contacted the municipality last year with a question regarding garbage bins at a neighbouring property operating as an STA.
Coun. Ted Oke said he appreciates Dietrich’s concerns but, given the lack of complaints so far, didn’t “want to get going down that rabbit hole of a bylaw for one incident, or we’ll have bylaws for everything.”
Oke added he doesn’t think a licensing program is worth it in South Huron given the small number of STAs.
Currie told council the federal government is working on its own program regarding STA regulation, with more information expected later this year.