Notice of Public Consultation on proposed Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law
The Municipality of French River is seeking feedback from the residents, community, visitors and businesses on the proposed Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law.
Council is moving to a licensing program to balance the economic benefits of short-term rentals, address community concerns and to ensure the safety of operators, renters and neighbours so that everyone may have an enjoyable experience in French River.
What is a short-term rental?
A Short-term rental (STR) is all or part of a dwelling unit rented out for less than 30 consecutive days. STR accommodations are commonly offered through online platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo and Kijiji.
Background
In 2021, Council showed an interest in managing STRs in our Municipality. This was followed by reports presented at meetings held on February 2, 2022, April 5, 2023, and July 5, 2023, where Council discussed frameworks to license and regulate short-term rentals in detail.
The proposed licensing by-law includes provisions such as:
- limit of 50 licences throughout the Municipality and one licence per property
- permitted in all zones that permit a residential dwelling
- limit of rental occupants based on septic capacity
- require that a designated responsible person be assigned to respond within specific timeframes
- enforcement tools such as fines and demerit points
To regulate Short Term Rentals (STR), the Zoning By-law requires a general amendment to define a short-term rental accommodation and to regulate them through licensing. The Public Hearing to consider the Zoning By-law Amendment will be held on November 1, 2023. Further notices and information will be posted on this page.
The links to the Draft Licensing By-law, Agendas, Minutes and Reports are available below, or hard copies are available upon request at the Municipal Office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
- Draft - Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law
- Meeting of February 2, 2022
- Meeting of April 5, 2023
- Meeting of July 5, 2023
- Meeting of September 20, 2023
The consultation period is open until August 18th, 2023. You are welcome to provide any written feedback through any of the following channels:
E-mail: info@frenchriver.ca
Fax: 705-898-2181
Mail or in person: 44 St. Christophe Street, Suite 1, Noëlville ON, P0M 2N0
All feedback will be collected and presented to Council for consideration at a meeting to be held on October 18, 2023. An information report was brought forward at the meeting of September 20th to provide a brief update.