Ivan Radic / CC
Georgian Bluffs looks to be moving ahead with a licensing program for short-term rentals (STR).
Council in a 4-3 recorded vote approved directing staff to prepare a licensing program during their Oct. 2 committee of the whole meeting, after hearing from community members.
The proposed fees for the licensing program would see STR operators of primary residences and seasonal residences which run between May to October, pay $500 annually. Operators of STRs for secondary residences would pay $750, and operators for an accessory structure would pay $200 per additional unit.
Since presenting draft regulations in June, the township has been in regular contact with local STR operators, who have mainly been offering positive feedback with regard to the proposed licensing program. Others have voiced concerns with the proposed fees and how it would impact seasonal operators, a lack of a need for a licensing program, high operating costs associated with the program, and an overall lack of perceived benefit from the proposed program.
“Staff also received feedback from operators that the introduction of the proposed licensing system would mean that the operators would cease operations and staff are aware that several operators have ceased operations already in anticipation of the regulatory framework and costs association with it. Small, low occupancy rentals are most directly impacted by licence costs,” says the report from Drury.
Coun. Cathy Moore Coburn adds they have seen a desire from their community to enact a licensing program.
“From Cobble Beach, Shallow Lake, Balmy Beach, and we have conducted extensive community engagement,” says Coburn.
Before approving the licensing program, council heard from several community members, some supportive of and others against a licensing program.
Incoming STR Operator Sabrina Saunders applauded the township’s process to get the program up and running and recommended those who are not in compliance with the program face a heavy fine.
“I am aware of business owners and some of the more popular areas like Blue Mountains and Meaford who actually consider the fine that the municipality will give them for non-compliance is part of their business practice. So really making sure that whatever it is that you choose to put in, has enough teeth and enough of a weight that those of us that are doing all the hoops that you are asking us to do and participate in legally, are actually benefiting,” says Saunders.
The licensing platform is scheduled to go live Oct. 15 to begin accepting applications for the 2025 operating season.
A delegation was made to Georgian Bluffs council in 2022 on STRs and concerns from residents. A report was brought back to council in 2023 to investigate the STR landscape in the township. It was found a total of 154 STRs were active in the township, with 50 to 75 of those operating all year. The total number has gone down a bit this year.
A report from Deputy CAO Brittany Drury says, “in short, the township is seeing, as is being experienced across the industry, a reduction in both the number of short term rental being marketed and a dramatic reduction in the levels of occupancy that short term rants are being used for.”