Short Term Accommodations

A Short Term Accommodation (STA) is “a portion of a dwelling or dwelling unit, that is owner-occupied and rented for a period of less than twenty-eight (28) days.”  An STA includes a Bed and Breakfast that may or may not prepare and serve breakfast or a Heritage Tourist Inn, but does not include a motel, hotel or accommodations where there is no payment exchanged.

Yes.  They are required to be licensed and are not exempt.

The STA license applies to all short term rentals, regardless of how often the space is made available for rentals.

The Town’s Development Permit By-law did not define Short Term Accommodations within the By-law, therefore, prohibiting the use.

When considering and implementing the regulations the Town’s intentions were to:

• Protect the housing market in terms of longterm rentals,
• Ensure that proper approvals and compliance were in place such as parking, Fire Code requirements, etc.
• Maintain a level playing field for Bed and Breakfasts and Heritage Tourist Inns who previously undertook the proper Planning Act approvals.
• Ensure that the neighbourhoods “Where we live” are for families to live and not for commercial business; yet
• Still provide an avenue for property owners to offer accommodations within their home provided it is owner-occupied.

If an accommodation was lawfully operating and had prior Planning Act approvals (Bed and Breakfast or Heritage Tourist Inn) they are required to obtain an annual license from the Town.

If an accommodation was operating with no prior Planning Act approvals, they are required to meet the requirements as set out in the Development Permit By-law prior to obtaining a license to operate.

The following is a brief list of items that you need to consider:

First, obtain a Development Permit under the Planning Act:

• Am I located in a residential area or do I have a business that I operate in the commercial downtown?
• Do I meet the definition of owner-occupied?
• Can I meet the requirements of the Development Permit By-law for one (1) parking space per guest room on-site?
• Can I meet the Building Code Act and Fire Code Act requirements for guests?
• Contact Trudy Gravel assistantplanner@gananoque.ca for a pre-consultation.

Second, obtain an STA License:

• Have I completed the application form?
• Have I completed the checklist?
• Have I provided proof of insurance?

• The Town requires an annual STA License renewal along with proof of insurance.
• All STA Licensees are required to submit a remittance as per Municipal Accommodation Tax By-law No. 2019-058 using the Municipal Accommodation Tax Form.
• Every four years a mandatory inspection will be undertaken by a By-law Enforcement Officer.

Yes.  The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) By-law 2019-158 was passed on June 19, 2019.  This By-law applies to all short term rental stays (hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, heritage tourist inns and short term accommodations). The MAT remittance form is available on the Town’s website at the Municipal Accommodation Tax Return Page.

Collection came into effect on December 31, 2019.

No, there is currently no limit to the number of STA licenses that can be issued.

Owner-occupied means any property offering Short Term Accommodations owned by a person who resides in the dwelling as their principal residence. For properties located in the Commercial Traditional Core, owner-occupied means a property owned by the person occupying/operating the commercial store-front business at the location where Short Term Accommodation is offered in the same building.

All Short Term Accommodations are required to be owner-occupied.

Processing times can vary based on the information provided in the application form and if you have previously obtained Planning Act approvals.  If you do not have a Development Permit for your Short Term Accommodation, please contact Trudy Gravel (assistantplanner@gananoque.ca).

Each application is reviewed to ensure the applicant meets the requirements of the Short-Term Accommodations Licensing By-law.

Complete applications may be received at Town Hall, 30 King Street East, Monday to Friday or at the drop-off box located on the west side of the building.

Application for Short Term Accommodations

Please refer to the General Fees and Rates By-law No. 2016-047 Schedule A for license and renewal fees. The license must be renewed annually as long as the STA is in operation.

MAT funds will be administered by the Tourism Advisory Panel, which is made up of representatives from the various accommodation sectors. Funds are spent on marketing, events and tourism to increase tourism in Gananoque.

Please contact the By-law Enforcement Office at bylaw@gananoque.ca or 613 541-3213. For after-hours noise complaints, please contact the Gananoque Police Service non-emergency line at 613-382-4422.

Properties are subject to all municipal by-laws including parking, noise, garbage and debris as well as the Fire Code Act.

The Town may impose fines of $250 for advertising without license or $1,000 for failing to obtain a license.  These fines have been approved by the Ontario Court of Justice.