Short Term Rentals

Inquiries and Complaints

 

The Town of Penetanguishene uses Granicus Host Compliance for 24/7 support. All complaints submitted through Granicus are provided to the Town’s By-law Enforcement department to take actions pursuant to the regulations of the By-law.

To submit a complaint regarding a STR please use the online complaint form or call or text the 24 hotline at 705-980-0015.

What are Short Term Rentals?

Short-Term Rental Accommodations (STRs) allow for residents to offer a dwelling unit for temporary accommodations through online platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Kijiji, among others. Council passed the STR Licensing By-law on September 14, 2022 to regulate how STRs operate. The By-law addresses various matters including but not limited to maximum occupancy, maximum number of bedrooms, parking, and fines for contraventions to the by-law. The licensing program was initiated by the Town to address community concerns and to ensure all rentals operate safely in accordance with Town By-laws, the Fire Protection Standards, and the Ontario Building Code. Further background information on the project is available on connectpenetanguishene.ca

Permit number Municipal address Status
P-2023-1 21 PARK ST Occupied
P-2023-14 62 WATER ST Occupied
P-2023-15 11 WEST ST Occupied
P-2023-17 14 CAMBRIDGE ST Occupied
P-2023-75 146 GILWOOD PARK DR Occupied
P-2023-76 56 WATER ST Occupied
P-2023-82 22 JURY DR Occupied
P-2023-87 53 POLISH AVENUE Occupied
P-2023-88 139 CHAMPLAIN RD Occupied
P-2023-91 13 BROAD ST Occupied
P-2023-127 77 MCARTHUR DR. In Review
P-2023-108 21 BROCK ST Occupied
P-2023-112 18 CENTRE ST Occupied

 

License Applications

The Towns Zoning By-law regulates where STRs are permitted in Town. The Town’s existing Zoning By-law 2000-02 does not provide a definition for STR’s nor are they referenced anywhere in the by-law.

The new Town Zoning By-law 2022-17 provides a definition for an STR and where STRs are permitted to operate. STR’s are permitted as-of-right in the Shoreline Area One (SA1), Shoreline Area Two (SA2), Rural (RU), and the Downtown and Waterfront Zone (DW) in Zoning By-law 2022-17. You can locate your property and identify your zoning using the zoning map (Schedule A to Zoning By-law 2022-17). A new STR use cannot be established unless it is within the SA1, SA2, RU or DW Zones.

If you operate an existing STR that is NOT within the above noted zones, you may still operate a STR as a legal non-conforming use. A legal non-conforming use means that such land, building, or structure was lawfully used as a STR on the effective date of Zoning By-law 2022-17, and that it has continued to be used for that purpose. If the STR is a legal non-conforming use, the owner must provide copies of documentation supporting the application for legal non-conforming status for the operation of a STR to the satisfaction of the Town (e.g. documents verifying financial contributions of the rental and/or other documents as may be applicable).

Applications can be made online through Cloudpermit.  Licenses are renewed annually and must be completed each year, by May of each year.

Materials Required for a Complete Application

The following documentation must be submitted for a complete application. Applications are made online through Cloudpermit.

  • Copy of municipal tax bill proving ownership
  • Copy of government issued photo I.D. with applicant’s Date of Birth
  • Copy of the liability insurance policy of not less than $2 million per occurrence for property damage and bodily injury
  • Floor plans drawn to scale (dimensions, use of each room, number of bedrooms, occupant load for sleeping purposes for each room, location of smoke detection/early warning devices, fire extinguishers). See the sample floor plan.
  • Site Plan drawn to scale with dimensions (lot size, yard setbacks, parking dimensions and locations, landscaping, buildings, structures, amenities, and septic system/well if applicable). See the sample site plan.
  • Schedule A: Renter’s Code of Conduct form
  • Schedule B: Responsible Person’s Consent form
  • Applicable application fees ($500 for a license with 2 or less bedrooms; $900 for a license with 3 or more bedrooms)
  • The following may be required if applicable:
    • Schedule C: Legal Non-conforming STR
      • Where the STR is a legal non-conforming use under the Town Zoning By-law 2022-17, provide copies of documentation supporting the application for legal non-conforming status for the operation of a STR.
  • Septic Installer Letter
    • Where the dwelling unit containing the STR is serviced by private well and/or septic, proof must be provided that the private water and septic system are of an adequate capacity to accommodate the maximum occupancy of the unit, that such private services comply with all Provincial standards for potable water and septic systems.

Frequently Asked Questions - STR Operator

The Town will be evaluating the by-law one year after its effective date to determine if changes are necessary.

  • A Bed and Breakfast means an owner-occupied, single detached dwelling unit in which guest rooms, which may include private sanitary facilities but may not include in-room cooking facilities, provide temporary sleeping accommodation to the travelling or vacationing public for compensation to the owner of the dwelling unit and which may or may not include the provision of meals.
  • Short Term Rental means a single detached dwelling unit, that in whole or in part, is rented or available for rent for an occupancy period of not more than 28 consecutive days but shall not include a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, motel or any other use otherwise defined by this By-law.
  • A Bed and Breakfast does not require an STR License. Bed and Breakfasts are subject to a separate license, please contact the By-law Department for more information.

Licenses are valid for one (1) year and are renewed in the month of May of each year. For the first year of operation, licenses issued on or before May 1, 2023 are valid until May 1, 2024. For example, if you obtain a STR license in January 2023, your license will be valid until May 1, 2024.

A license application fee is $500 for an STR with two (2) rooms or less and $900 for an STR with three (3) rooms or more. A license is renewed annually and the same application fees apply for each renewal.

  • STRs can operate within the SA1, SA2, RU and DW zones in the Town. Consult the Zoning Map to view these areas. STRs may operate in other zones, subject to compliance with the provisions for legal non-conforming uses in the Town Zoning By-law 2022-17.

The licensing program was initiated by the Town through a referral item by Council to address community concerns and to ensure all rentals operate safely in accordance with Town By-laws, the Fire Protection Standards, and the Ontario Building Code. Further background information and reports on the project are available on connectpenetanguishene.ca.

When a contravention to the by-law occurs, a fine may be issued in accordance with Schedule D of the Licensing By-law or in accordance with the Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) By-Law 2022-60. A license may be revoked or suspended where three (3) or more contraventions or complaints have been received by the Town within a six (6) month period or where four (4) or more contraventions or complaints have been received by the Town within a twelve (12) month period. The validity of a complaint is at the discretion of the Officer based on an investigation of the complaint.

The By-law will be administered through the Town’s By-law department and through the external services of Granicus Host Compliance. The Town anticipates hiring a new STR License Coordinator in 2023 help administer the by-law and respond to complaints.

The Town will conduct a review of the By-law after one (1) year of its implementation. If you have questions or if you have a suggestion on how the by-law can be improved, please submit by email to planning@penetanguishene.ca

Let us know here, planning@penetanguishene.ca

Frequently Asked Questions - Complaint Process

  • The Town of Penetanguishene uses Granicus Host Compliance for 24/7 support. All complaints submitted through are provided to the Town’s By-law Enforcement department to take actions pursuant to the regulations of the By-law.
  • To submit a complaint regarding an STR please use the online complaint form or call or text the 24/7 hotline at 705-980-0015.

Upon submission of a complaint, the STR operator is immediately contacted by Granicus to resolve the issue. All complaints are monitored by the Town’s By-law Enforcement department to take actions pursuant to the regulations of the By-law. The complainant can request to receive updates regarding the status of the complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions - Appeal Process

The cost to appeal a decision made by a licensing officer pertaining to revoking, denying, or suspending a short-term rental accommodation license and to be heard by the licensing committee is $500.00 per appeal.

No, it is not necessary to obtain legal counsel throughout the appeal process, it is up to the defendant whether legal counsel is wanted or required.

The online PDF of the appeal form by licensing committee can be filled out and submitted to start the appeal process. A printable version may also be completed and filed to the Town’s Clerk to start the process as well. This needs to be completed within 14 days of the date located on the top of the notice. Payment will be due upon completing the application, and the licensing officer will contact you by phone or email to arrange a hearing date within 14 days of the submission of the application.

If the appeal is denied by the committee, the written notice of decision will be sent to the mailing address associated with the property in review. The appeal is final and binding and is not subject to further review. Any payments due will need to be submitted within 14 days of the decision date.

The process is not too lengthy if the appropriate forms are submitted within the allotted time frame. The earlier the forms are submitted, the faster the process commences. Estimated time would be 4-6 weeks from the application to the final decision

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