Hot Topic: Short Term Accommodations
Neighbours or Not? Incremental approach needed
STAs – What are they and why should you be concerned?
In part, the following is our letter to the Town addressing STAs – Short-term Accommodations, in Innisfil.Mayor Dollin stated, “the meteoric rise of STA’s is changing the character of our neighbourhoods in ways that were never contemplated.”
 While simple in concept, the impacts amount to a transformational change of significant complexity and magnitude…
The subject of vacation rentals is a difficult and controversial conversation. Everyone has an interest. That interest often depends on whether you own vacation rentals (or indirectly benefit from them) or if you do not.
At heart is the question whether the town is a community or a commodity.
IDA’s Incremental Approach
The IDA firmly believes that an incremental approach to defining, allowing, licensing, and managing STA’s is the prudent approach. We urge the Town to undertake a more extensive investigation period. Until such time as the scope of this market is clearly understood we do not believe that there is any realistic way to assess the costs and benefits both now and for the future…
Create a roadmap
The IDA encourages the creation of a roadmap for a modern framework that can adapt to emerging best practices and an implementation plan that can be effectively monitored and managed as set out in the white paper by the Hotel Association of Canada. The operation of STAs, where the town allows it, should be viewed as a privilege and not an entitlement.
These are our recommendations:
1. The creation of a permit system that would be available to owners of record only (i.e., long term tenants are not eligible to run STAs based on tenancy agreements)
2. Owner resident’s vs absentee owner policies
3. Seasonal restrictions for STA’s – the proposed 90 days is the entire peak season and allows for the potential of continual turnover
4. Inclusion of an annual town issued registration number on all advertisements including, but not limited to, print and online platforms to show that the unit is registered to be used as a STA.
5. Restrictions on properties that are on private roads and private wells and septic systems.
6. Posting of registration number inside the unit (to include the physical address of the property and owner/contact information with 24/7 availability).
7. Health and Safety Standards up to code
8. Obligations on booking platforms, hosts, agents and guests
9. Requirements for liability coverage
10. Minimum stay requirements
11. Limitations on investor-owners (i.e., number of units that can be licensed)
12. A cap on the percentage of short term rentals available in any given area
13. Occupancy limits strictly based on number of bedrooms and washrooms
14. Noise limitations and installation of monitoring and alerting devices
15. Home party restrictions, limitations, and penalties
16. Limitations on number of vehicles and regulations regarding on and off road parking
17. Trash removal – oversight and compliance
18. Assignment of town personnel who are available 24/7 to handle any complaints that arise
Best Practice Guidelines – Developing a Modern Approach to Short Term Rentals in a Digital Economy – The Hotel Association of Canada |
