Tiny Township is planning on pushing ahead with implementation and enforcement of a new short-term rental licensing bylaw, despite significant public backlash and requests for a pause.
“To the people who want to repeal the bylaw, I think you are very short-sighted. Frankly, I think you are delusional. We were in chaos three years ago. That is why we came up with the bylaw,” said Mayor David Evans, who addressed the topic at a Feb. 22 meeting.
Evans voiced his support for the bylaw, which was passed by the previous council on Aug. 11. Under this legislation, property rentals are limited to 92 days a year, minimum six-day rentals are required, and the number of guests are limited to two per bedroom to a maximum of 10.
The bylaw also requires short-term rental operators to pay a $1,500 licensing fee, cover the cost of a handful of home inspections, places the responsibility on the operator for any violations or illegal activity that occurs on the property, and discloses the operators’ information online.
The bylaw includes a clause, which states licences will only be issued to individuals. Number companies or corporations will be unable to receive a licence.
Deputy Mayor Sean Miskimins and Coun. Steffen Walma also spoke out against a pause. They both mentioned the fluidity of the bylaw and the fact that they are open to making changes as needed.
Coun. Kelly Helowka was the lone voice in opposition of the bylaw. He rattled off comment after comment the township has received from residents criticizing the legislation.
He urged for increased enforcement of the zero-tolerance noise bylaw the township already has in place and urged council to step back and take some time to rethink the short-term rental bylaw.
Residents both for and against the new legislation have filed appeals with the Ontario Land Tribunal. A virtual case management conference has been scheduled for March 22 at 10 a.m.