Oshawa is introducing a new business licensing system for short-term rental operators in the city.
Short-term rentals (STR) are properties rented out as temporary accommodations on STR company websites or apps. Examples are Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway, explained a city announcement.
The STR Operator business licensing system is intended to:
- Enhance the Zoning By-law provisions that:
- requires an STR to be the principal residence of the STR Operator;
- restricts STR 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 STR.
- Introduce a requirement to have a local contact available at all times to respond to issues and who is available to attend to the STR 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 STR renters.
To register and complete an STR licensing application, visit www.oshawa.ca/str. To report a complaint about a registered or unregistered STR, contact Service Oshawa by phone at 905-436-3311 or email service@oshawa.ca.
“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.