The Municipality of Bluewater’s short-term rental legislation has officially passed it’s first deadline for applications, with Bayfield on July 4th.
The by-law, developed in response to public complaints, encompasses any property rented out on a short-term basis (exempting bed and breakfast style rentals) and introduce licensing fees, fines, and a demerit system for violations.
In our conversation with Emily Regier, a local short-term rental owner, she said that the application process was extremely straightforward,
She does says that there is one catch that may surprise some rental owners,
The cost of a license is $750, and non-compliance with the licensing system carries fines of $900, which may be imposed on a daily basis.
Furthermore, the by-law will introduce restrictions on the number of short-term rentals permitted on a given street. New rentals will be prohibited from being established next to existing rental properties, and a maximum of 15% of residences can be utilized for short-term rental purposes.
According to Regier, the new legislation isn’t out to get short term rental owners, rather, it’s an opportunity to hold them to certain standards,
She also says that she hopes that going forward the municipality will consider ways to take into consideration whether or not the operator of the property is local, or speculating from afar,
Regier is currently awaiting her application being processed, but anticipates that the follow-up should be as simple as the application was.
For more information about short term rentals in Bluewater, read our interview with Manager of Development Services Aaron Stewardson.
Written by: B. Shakyaver