The Municipality of West Nipissing is drafting a new by-law to govern short-term rentals.
The proposed by-law can be read on the Municipality’s website, and council plans to have a public meeting on the topic in early October. The date has not been announced yet.
As drafted, non-principal dwelling short-term rentals will only be permitted in commercial zones. A license will be required to operate a short-term rental, and the maximum number of renters within one unit at any given time will be eight – excluding children under 10 years of age.
All listings must include a current, valid license number on any advertisement for the premises. Also, all applicants seeking a license will be inspected prior to issuance of a license “to verify the information contained in the line application,” staff noted.
Short-term rentals will not be permitted to be used for “event” gatherings, such as birthday parties, weddings, or bachelor/bachelorette parties, staff outlined.
See: THE BIG READ: How short-term vacation rentals are ruining the neighbourhood
If your short-term rental is a unit within your principal dwelling, those will be permitted in R1, R2, R3, R4, RR and SR zones. Rental nights cannot surpass 180 per year, and units can only be rented for a maximum of 28 consecutive single stays.
To apply for the license, the town will want a site plan of the premises, an interior floor plan labelled to include all rooms and guest rooms, a copy of the deed proving ownership, and if the application is for a business, proof that the business can operate in Ontario.
Plus, the municipality may require additional documents. It’s all being worked out. This by-law remains in the draft stage.
The municipality is also considering a demerit point system “in order to hold non-compliant operators accountable.”
There is much to discuss, and council and staff want to include as many voices as possible. Residents are welcome to send comments by email, and plans are underway to provide a survey on the Municipal website.
A public meeting will also be held, and residents are encouraged to attend. As mentioned, the date is to be announced, so keep an eye on the municipal website for updates.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
