Short Term Rentals

Have Your Say: Proposed Short-Term Rental By-law

The City of Pickering is proposing a new Short-Term Rental By-law - and we want your input!

In 2024, we surveyed residents, property owners, and short-term rental users to better understand local perspectives. That feedback helped shape the draft By-law, and now we're inviting you to review it and share your thoughts before it is presented to Council.

View Draft Short Term Rental By-law.

Why regulate short-term rentals?

Our goal is to strike a fair balance between supporting local tourism, expanding housing options, and respecting the rights of property owners - while also addressing common concerns such as noise, waste, parking, neighbourhood harmony, and safety.

Community Engagement

Alongside research and collaboration with other municipalities, hearing from our community has been key to shaping a well-informed approach. Join us at an upcoming open house to learn more and provide your feedback:

📍 Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex – Front Lobby
1867 Valley Farm Road
🗓️ Wednesday, April 2, 2025
🕘 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

📍 Pickering City Hall – Front Lobby
One The Esplanade
🗓️ Thursday, April 3, 2025
🕔 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

💬 Can’t attend? Email your questions, comments, or concerns to bylaw@pickering.ca.

By-law Highlights

View draft By-law to regulate and licence Short-Term Rentals in the City of Pickering.

• All operators of short-term rental accommodations in Pickering shall obtain a Short-Term Rental Licence from the City of Pickering under this by-law.
• There shall be only one Short-Term Rental in a Main/Primary Dwelling per lot.
• Only a Main/Primary Dwelling or an Additional Dwelling Unit located in the Main/Primary Dwelling shall be used as a short-term rental.
• Only a principal residence as defined in the Income Tax Act may be used as a short-term rental .
• The property of the Short-Term Rental shall comply with the City of Pickering Zoning by-laws.
• Short-term accommodation rentals may not exceed 28 days to one renter and the licensed dwelling may not be rented more than 180 days in a 365-day period.
• Enforcement - The provisions of this by-law may be enforced by a Municipal Law Enforcement officer or a police officer.

What is a short-term rental?

Short-term rentals include properties that are rented out as temporary accommodations.

Short-term rentals in the GTA are active and growing, with online markets such as Airbnb, VRBO, and other companies, connecting people looking for short-term rentals with property owners wishing to rent out their residential spaces.

Why is the City looking to regulate short-term rentals?

Municipalities may use licensing as a tool to ensure a safe environment, address various community concerns, and balance the needs of property owners with land use impacts.

What might the licensing process look like?

This would be achieved through an application and review process, with the ability to require a code of conduct attestation, on-site or prompt management, and the revocation or suspension of licenses, among other enforcement tools.

Project Background

Discussions around regulating short-term rentals have been occurring as part of the City’s exercise to review and consolidate its six Zoning By-laws into one consolidated document.

This current initiative considers provisions included the Consolidated Zoning By-law(External link).

Next Steps

City staff will review all feedback and bring a final draft of the Short Term Rentals By-law to Council in late spring 2025.