[West Nipissing, ON] – On April 2, 2024, after 11 months of research and consultation, Council voted to adopt the Short Term Rental Accommodation by-law. The purpose of the regulation is to protect the safety of residents and guests, to manage environmental impacts, and to preserve the community’s housing availability. The new by-law includes provisions regarding occupancy, septic systems, nuisance mitigation, and other licensing requirements such as appropriate insurance coverage.

The by-law does not prohibit short-term rental businesses from operating in West Nipissing, however, operators must now obtain their license prior to renting all or part of a residential dwelling for up to 28 consecutive days. The class A License is for a Principal Dwelling (primary home) and the Class B License is for a Non-Principal Dwelling (such as a cottage or income property). Each license will initially cost $750, with an annual renewal of $250. Short-term rental operators can now begin their application process. The by-law and application form are available on the municipal website, or at the Municipal Office at 225 Holditch Street in Sturgeon Falls.

Short-term rentals, facilitated by platforms like AirBnB and Vrbo, have become increasingly popular in West Nipissing. Mayor Thorne Rochon commented, “When commercial operations are being conducted in a residential area, we have a responsibility to ensure that it is being done respectfully and safely. We understand that tourism and accommodations play an important economic role in West Nipissing, and our intention with this by-law is to find a balance between offering a pleasant and safe place to visit while preserving the quality of life for residents.”

The topic of short-term rentals was discussed for the first time in 2021 by the former Council due to nuisance and environmental concerns from residents. The issue became a priority upon getting unanimous support as part of the current Council’s Term Plan. Subsequently, Council requested that a consultation process be held to gain insight from the community. An online survey was launched on October 10, 2023, allowing members of the public to respond to issues addressed in the preliminary by-law or to make inquiries on the topic. The in-person public consultation was held at Town Hall on October 19, 2023. 

Following the consultation process, Council formed an Ad Hoc committee in order to assess the matter in greater depth. The group included Councillors Anne Tessier and Kaitlynn Nicol; Frank Loeffen, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator; Mayor Thorne Rochon; Melanie Ducharme, Municipal Clerk and Planner; and Stephan Poulin, Director of Community Services and Economic Development. The committee researched and discussed multiple issues prior to making their recommendations at the Council table. Throughout the 11-month period, the by-law was modified to reflect the community’s needs and the Ad Hoc committee’s recommendations.

Useful links: Municipal By-laws, Licensing.