Short Term Rentals
Consultation has concluded - thank you for everyone who participated. Please stay tuned for a 'What we Heard' report.
The City of Pickering is exploring options to regulate local short-term rentals, and invites residents, businesses, and the users/owners of short-term rentals to get involved and share feedback to help inform the new process.
The City’s goal is to balance support for local tourism, housing, and the ability for property owners to rent their residential spaces, with the need to address common community concerns sometimes associated with short term rentals, such as noise, garbage, parking, neighbourhood relations, and safety.
In addition to extensive research and communications with various other agencies and municipalities, it is important that City staff hear from community members to ensure that we develop a thoughtful plan, reflective of the needs of our city.
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?
The City of Pickering is seeking public input to assist in developing a licensing framework.
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 will consider the provisions included the City’s Draft Consolidated Zoning By-law, anticipated to go to Council for presentation in fall, 2024.
Next Steps
There are various options for licensing, and based on public feedback and best practice reviews, a Draft Licensing By-law will be released for additional feedback.
Public consultation will be open from August 7 to August 31, 2024.