Short Term Rentals

New! Interim Control By-law

On June 21, 2022, Council approved an Interim Control By-law No. 031-2022 to temporarily prohibit the establishment of any new Short-Term Rental Units within all geographic boundaries of the Township in order to allow time to review, research and develop appropriate planning policies to deal with this new land use and if deemed appropriate, implement the findings of the review pertaining to Short-Term Rental Units.

Notice: Only those Short-Term Rental Units in existence as of the date of passing of this by-law and used for such purposes are permitted to be maintained on such properties within the geographic boundaries of the Township of Wainfleet pending completion of the review/study. The establishment of any new Short-Term Rental Unit use during the term of this by-law is prohibited. This by-law shall be in effect for a period of one (1) year from the date of enactment unless otherwise extended.

What is an Interim Control By-law?

An Interim Control By-law (ICB) is a planning tool given to municipalities under section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended. An ICB is used to place a temporary freeze on certain land uses while a municipality is reviewing its land use policies. ICB’s may be over a specific area or the entire municipality and can be put into place for one year with the option of extending it for another year.

Several other Ontario municipalities, have utilized an ICB to temporarily prohibit the establishment of new Short-Term Rental units to allow time to review, research and develop appropriate planning policies to deal with this new land use.

In this case, the ICB will temporarily prohibit the new use of certain lands, buildings, or structures related to the establishment of short-term rental units within all geographic areas of the municipality.

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Short Term Rentals

On April 20, 2021 Township of Wainfleet Council decided to implement a licensing system to further regulate short-term rental accommodations.

Staff has worked closely with the Township’s solicitor through the process of drafting the By-law, which was received by Council on October 26, 2021. Following this, a Public Open House was held virtually on January 18, 2022. The commenting period was open to the Public from December 23, 2021 until February 4, 2021 via the Township’s website.

In its current form, the draft By-law to License and Regulate Short-Term Rentals will make licensing short-term rentals mandatory, aims to ensure compliance with Fire Code, Building Code, other applicable law and Township By-laws, and establishes a system of demerit points for violations including noise, nuisance, parking and safety which will encourage short-term rental owners into supplying a safe, responsible, and respectful accommodation.

Staff notes that further changes to the draft By-law will be required prior to preparing the Application Package & Program for Short-Term Rentals.

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