Owen Sound city hall. (photo by Claire McCormack)
Owen Sound council is going to be discussing a potential ban on short-term rentals like AirBNBs in residential areas of the city.
City councillor John Tamming gave notice at Monday night’s meeting, he intends to bring forward a motion to cause city staff to enact a bylaw effective January 1, 2023, that expressly prohibits short-term rentals from areas zoned exclusively residential, with an exception for traditional bed and breakfast operations.
“Non-owner occupied STRs comprise the de facto injection of roving, motel-like establishments in residential neighbourhoods,” Tamming says, naming Goderich as a community that has moved ahead of this type of regulation.
The issues that have led to the idea of banning short-term rentals include trash accumulation and traffic congestion in residential areas.
Tamming’s motion would also make sure there are penalties in place for anyone who offers short-term rentals, in violation of the proposed new bylaw.
Owen Sound council will discuss the motion at its next meeting on June 27.