Short Term Rentals

Short-Term Rental Accommodation Licence

Notice: Boats, house/travel trailers, bunkies, or secondary dwellings are not permitted under the Short-Term Rental By-Law 026-2023. Although, if bunkies meet the required specifications they may be Licensed. To determine if your bunkie qualifies, please contact the Planning Department to confirm PRIOR to starting the application process.

Short-Term Rental (STR) accommodation properties, such as those offered through booking applications like VRBO, Airbnb, etc. are permitted with a valid licence under the Township Short-Term Rental By-Law No. 026-2023.

All STR properties are subjected to a valid Licence regardless if you advertise or not on booking platforms.

You will need to obtain and submit the following documentation to proceed with your application:

Inspections Best Practice

It is recommended the applicant get the inspections done in the order provided:

Water Inspection
Septic Inspection (Completed Septic Inspection Form from a qualified inspector confirming the septic is functional and adequate for the maximum usage of the Short-Term Rental Unit. If your septic system is not functioning or adequate for its intended purpose, Please contact Township Building Department for septic permits. Any septic upgrades or installations must meet current Ontario Building Code Standards).
Fire Inspection: A Fire Safety Plan must be submitted and approved before a Fire Inspection may be scheduled. The Fire Safety Plan template and corresponding fees can be found under the Required Documents tab. (Contact Fire Services for details).

Required Documents

Valid Picture Identification (Indicating Primary Residence)
STR Application
Site Plan/Parking Management Plan (Sample)
Floor Plan (Sample)
Fire Safety Plan or Fire Safety Plan Fillable pdf ($120.00)
Renter Code of Conduct
Authorized Fire Inspection Dated within (60) Days of application submission ($120.00)
Authorized Septic Inspection Dated within (30) Days of application submission (A report from a Qualified Inspector confirming that the septic system at the Short-Term Rental Unit is functional and adequate for the maximum Occupancy of the Short-Term Rental Unit)
Authorized Potable Water Inspection Dated within (30) Days of application submission
Proof of Insurance for use as a Short-Term Rental Unit
Proof of property ownership (2-year minimum) from date of application
Authorized Public Health-O. Reg. 319/08 Small Drinking Water Systems Inspection (Bed & Breakfast ONLY)

After submitting your application, you must pay a $1000.00 non-refundable application/renewal fee before staff begin processing your request. Details on how to pay will be provided at the end of this application.

I/We, hereby apply for the following licence and agree to observe and comply with all regulations pursuant to By-Law No. 026-2023 and any amendments thereto, which pertain to the licence for which I/We have made an application and understand that the licence may be revoked if the subsequent inspections or approvals determine that the Short-Term Rental is not in compliance with this By-Law.

I/We shall be committed to cooperating with neighbours and Township staff in ensuring minimal impact on the neighbourhood as a result of the Short-Term Rental operation.

Apply Here

Key Information

STR Licensing By-Law

Licence Directory

Submit a Complaint

Township Fees

Dispute / Appeal Forms

Dispute A Penalty- Where an Officer issued an Administrative Monetary Penalty Notice(AMPS). You may choose to Dispute the Penalty(Fine) within Fifteen(15) Days from the date of issuance. Request for Screening.

Dispute A Screening- Where the Screening Officer has made a decision regarding a Penalty Notice. You have Fifteen(15) Days from the date of the screening letter to Request a Hearing if the matter is still in dispute.

Appeal Process- Where the Licensing Officer has denied an Applicant a Licence, a renewal of a Licence, or has suspended or revoked a Licence, the Licensing Officer shall inform the Applicant or Licensee by way of written notice setting forth the grounds for the decision with reasonable particulars and shall advise of the right to appeal such decision to the Committee within Ten(10) days of being notified of refusal. For complete details, please see the Appeal Form.

Demerit Points- Where the Licensing officer has issued demerit points a Licensee may submit an application to appeal to the Appeals Committee for a review of a decision to impose demerit points and/or to suspend or revoke one
or more Licences. For complete details, please see the Appeal Form.

Demerit Point System

A Demerit Point System has been established to enforce the Short-Term Rental By-Law.

A Licence may be suspended for a period of three months if the total Demerit Points in effect respecting a Short-Term Rental Accommodation is ten or more. Where the Licensee fails to correct the violations that resulted in the imposition of the demerit points within the suspension period, all Licenses shall be revoked.

Demerit Points shall remain in place until the two-year anniversary of the date of which the Demerit Points were assessed. For complete details on the Demerit Point system and the Infraction list, please see Schedule "A" of the Short-Term Rental By-Law.

Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)

All Short-Term Rentals within the Township of Wainfleet must be licensed to operate.

Please note that websites, such as Airbnb, VRBO etc., are only a means to advertise. In the Township of Wainfleet, you must hold a valid Short Term-Rental Licence to operate or advertise.

Those who do not hold a valid Short-Term Rental Licence can be subjected to Administrative Monetary Penalties. For complete details on the AMPS infraction list please see Schedule "B" of the Short-Term Rental By-Law

Resources

FAQ'S

Are STR operators required to register annually?

Yes, licences must be renewed every year. Each licence is in effect from the date of issue, as shown on the licence, until it expires one year from the issue date.

Can I report an unlicensed STR in my neighbourhood?

Yes, you can. Please file an online complaint. An officer will be assigned this case to investigate your concern.

Who can apply for an STR licence?Only the owner(s) of the property can apply for an STR licence.

Am I a B&B or an STR?

Bed & Breakfasts must be a room(s) or unit located inside the primary residence, where the property at which it is situated is occupied by the Owner.

How do I know if an STR has a licence?

Please check the registry for active STR licenses. Also, when the premise is occupied as an STR, a legible copy of the licence will be posted in a prominent location inside the primary entrance.

Will Short-Term Rental guests be notified of a complaint filed against them?

No. Short-Term Rental guests will not be contacted directly. Depending on the nature of the complaint, guests may be contacted by the owner or property manager to address the situation.

Renew Licence