On November 1, 2018, The Town of Oakville’s City Council adopted new zoning amendments and the licensing by-law. The following is a complete guideline for Oakville’s short term rental regulations so that anyone can be a responsible host when using platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and other similar services. This rundown should give you a good start in understanding your local laws.
The following are some points of the new laws:
- Short term accommodations are permitted to operate in most housing types.
- The host must be the principal resident of the short term accommodation.
- An STA operator must acquire a Business License from the Town for $237/year.
- Hosting Companies like Airbnb must also obtain a license with the Town.
Moreover, new regulations allow bed and breakfast to have three units instead of two, creating more equity in the market between short term accommodations and bed and breakfasts.
Short Term Accommodation Licensing
Short term accommodations (STA) refer to rentals that occur over a short period of time (i.e. less than 28 days). All STAs that offer rentals for fewer than 28 days will require a Short Term Accommodation License.
There are two categories of the STA License:
Operator License: The applicant is the one responsible for the short term accommodation. To apply for an Operator’s License, applicants can fill out and submit the Operator Application.
Company License: Platform advertising for operators. To apply for a Company License, platforms can fill out and submit the Company Application.
To apply for an operator’s license, applicants must ensure they meet all requirements including:
- Property maintenance and parking plan. Read More.
- The layout of the property. View Sample Floor Plan.
- The property owner/tenant Consent Form (if an applicant wishes to operate an STA but is a tenant of the property)
- An Inspection Certificate from an electrical contractor licensed by the ESA (Electrical Safety Authority). The electrical contractor can fill out the Electrical System Inspection form, which must explicitly include the electrician’s ESA license number. To locate an ESA contractor, applicants can search the Contractor Locator tool on the ESA webpage.
- An Inspection Report on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning performed by an HVAC installer with a current and valid Business License from the Town of Oakville. To find a licensed HVAC contractor, applicants can search the List of Licensed Contractors.
- To request zoning approval to operate STA in the proposed site, applicants can email [email protected].
Application Process
The following are the next steps to take in the application process:
- Applicants must complete the application and email the full package to [email protected]. When Enforcement Services receives a complete application, they will send an email with payment instructions.
- Enforcement Services will only accept applications that are completely filled out. Furthermore, it may take up to 10 days for applicants to receive their licenses.
- Once a license has been issued, applicants must renew it on an annual basis.
STA Operator’s Requirements
After the operator has been licensed, there are a few more steps that operators must follow. Additional requirements for STA operators are outlined below:
- Operators should post their license number on all advertisements.
- They should display their license in a prominent location in the STA where it applies.
- Provide a copy of the Renters Code to all renters of the STA.
- Operators should keep a record of the renter. In fact, the record of the renter must be readily available for inspection at all times by an officer for a period of one year. The record must contain the following:
- Date of entry
- Length of stay
- Renter’s home address
- Confirmation of receipt of the Renters Code
Renters Code
The Renters Code is a document explicitly created by the Town for all licensed short term accommodation operators. This document outlines the renter’s obligations and short term rental regulations, as well as behavioural standards relating to non-disturbance. It also provides a warning related to the making of disturbance. Moreover, this document will list any applicable Town bylaws that the renter must comply with including the terms of this by-law as they pertain to:
- Parking management plan
- Noise
- Waste/Garbage Disposal
Other Regulations
As a responsible host, you must comprehend and abide by other vacation rental rules and regulations that bind you. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines. Feel free to reach out to your landlord, housing authority, or community council to find out more. To get more information about other short term rental regulations, you can also visit Oakville’s official website or contact us.