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Short-term rentals in Guelph are active and growing, with listings in online markets that help connect people looking for short-term rentals with people who want to rent or sublet a space. Unlike hotels and bed and breakfasts, these short-term rentals are operating in Guelph without health and safety, zoning and parking guidelines that many businesses with licences are required to have.
In February 2022, Council approved a staff recommendation to licence short-term rentals. Over the next year, we’ll explore adding short-term rentals to our existing Business Licence Bylaw and would like the community, visitors and businesses to provide input on regulations for short-term rentals in Guelph.
Regulations we’re looking to add could include:
- Fire inspections
- Public health inspections
- Mandated insurance with limits
- Fees for licensing
- Acceptable locations and building types that could be rented
- Accessibility requirements
Timelines
- June 2022 – Call for volunteers to the Short-Term Rental Working Group
- July 2022 – First meeting of the Short-Term Rental Working Group
- November to December 2022 – Online survey, open office hours and virtual town halls open to Guelph residents and visitors
- Q2 2023 – Engagement summary releases
- Q3 2023 – Report to Council
Engagement opportunities
Have your say on short-term rentals
We want to know how businesses, existing short-term rentals, residents and visitors feel about:
- Community and business concerns or opportunities
- Solutions from neighbouring communities
- Impacts of licensing on existing long-term rentals
- Impacts of restricting short-term rentals to primary residences
During the engagement period, residents, businesses, visitors and short-term rental owners are invited to fill out an online survey, attend open office hours with staff to ask questions and provide feedback and attend virtual or in-person open houses to learn more about the review.
Working group
A Short-Term Rental Working Group was established in June 2022 and met three times to understand opportunities and challenges from targeted audiences before the City opened the conversation up to residents and visitors of Guelph. The working group is not a decision-making body; instead, they shared insights and feedback from impacted audiences that are now being validated through wider community engagement opportunities.
Working group terms of reference
Resources
Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
For more information
Scott Green, Manager
Corporate and Community Safety, Operations
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 3475
[email protected]