Oshawa introduces Short-Term Rental Operator business licensing system
The City of Oshawa is introducing a new business licensing system for short-term rental operators renting their properties in the city.
Short-term rentals (S.T.R.) are properties rented out as temporary accommodations on S.T.R. company websites or apps. Examples are Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway.
The S.T.R. Operator business licensing system is intended to:
- Enhance the Zoning By-law provisions that:
- requires an S.T.R. to be the principal residence of the S.T.R. Operator;
- restricts S.T.R. operations to less than twenty-eight (28) consecutive days and no more than one hundred and eighty (180) days in a calendar year; and,
- prohibits any other rental use within a dwelling unit that contains an S.T.R.
- Introduce a requirement to have a local contact available at all times to respond to issues and who is available to attend to the S.T.R. within a period of no greater than one (1) hour from the time of contact by telephone or email.
- Introduce insurance requirements;
- Limit the number of rooms to two (2) with a maximum of two (2) occupants in each when renting by the room; and,
- Introduce a Visitor’s Code that would provide information about relevant City by-laws to S.T.R. renters.
To register and complete an S.T.R. licensing application, visit www.oshawa.ca/str. To report a complaint about a registered or unregistered S.T.R., contact Service Oshawa by phone at 905-436-3311 or email [email protected].
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Quotes:
“This business licensing system allows property owners to experience the benefits of home sharing while ensuring that our communities continue to provide a great quality of life,” said Councillor Bradley Marks, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee.
“The S.T.R. licensing system is a great and necessary tool to educate residents and visitors on the relevant by-laws of the City,” said Councillor Jane Hurst, Vice-Chair of the Corporate Services Committee.