Short-Term Accommodation Review
Explore this page to learn more about the background and development of Collingwood’s Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Service!
For information on the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law and application process, please visit www.collingwood.ca/sta.
Phase 2 Update
Phase 2 of the STA Licensing Service launches January 6, 2025.
The Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law 2024-078 was approved by Council on November 18, 2024, and will take effect on January 6, 2025. The current Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law 2023-085 will remain in effect until this date, at which time it will be repealed and replaced by the new By-law 2024-078.
Application materials and guidance will be available on the Town’s Short-Term Accommodation Licensing webpage starting January 6, 2025, at www.collingwood.ca/sta.
Phase 1: Class A Licences Available
Phase 1 of the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Service launched on February 1, 2024. This phase introduced licensing requirements for bed and breakfasts, leveraging existing provisions in the Zoning By-law 2010-040. Under the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law 2023-085, all bed and breakfasts must apply for a Class A – Guest Room STA Licence. For more information, visit www.collingwood.ca/sta.
Background: About the Review Project
It is currently prohibited under subsection 4.22.2 of the Town’s Zoning By-law 2010-040 to use a dwelling unit, or any part thereof, as a short-term accommodation (“STA”) for any period of 30 days or less, except for bed and breakfasts (i.e., where the property owner is also residing in the dwelling where the rental is being offered).
However, like many other municipalities in Ontario, Collingwood has seen significant growth in the number of STAs. With the growing popularity of online rental platforms and the absence of provincial legislation, the challenges associated with enforcing a ban on STAs have increased. While the exact number and types of STAs within the Town are unknown, a review of over 60 popular online rental platforms (including Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc.) by a third party identified over 350 active STAs – the majority of which are located within the central and western parts of Collingwood.
To address these challenges, Council initiated a review of STAs through Staff Report C2022-22, presented to the Development and Operations Services Standing Committee on June 13, 2022. Council ratified the recommendations on June 27, 2022, directing staff to conduct public consultations to gather community input on STAs in Collingwood.
Community Consultation
A survey was conducted from August 11 to September 30, 2022, to better understand the community’s thoughts and opinions surrounding STA use in Collingwood. An STA Open House was also held on September 14, 2022, providing an opportunity for the public to ask questions and share feedback on STAs.
The public consultation revealed a variety of opinions on managing STAs in Collingwood. While perspectives differed, there was strong support for permitting STAs beyond bed and breakfast, alongside a shared understanding of the need for balanced and fair regulations to better address STA-related concerns.
Steps Toward a Licensing Framework
Staff Report C2023-05 summarized the feedback received and presented options for managing STAs. This staff report was presented at the February 6, 2023, Strategic Initiatives Standing Committee meeting, and on February 21, 2023, Council directed staff to prepare a follow-up report that includes potential next steps, draft by-laws and a licensing framework governing STAs.
The draft STA Licensing Framework, detailed in Staff Report C2023-15, was presented to Committee of the Whole on May 15, 2023. On June 5, 2023, Council approved staff to prepare and initiate a consultation on the draft Licensing Framework. A second round of public consultation was conducted from June 19 till July 31, 2023, including an Open House on July 12, 2023, to gather feedback.
Implementation of the STA Licensing By-law
The results of the second consultation were analyzed and summarized in Staff Report C2023-24. This report outlined a two-phased implementation approach and introduced an updated Licensing By-law, which received approval from Council on November 6, 2023.
Phase 1: Launched on February 1, 2024, Phase 1 introduced licensing requirements for bed and breakfasts under the STA Licensing By-law 2023-085.
Phase 2: On November 18, 2024, Council approved the new STA Licensing By-law 2024-078 and Staff Report C2024-10 to implement Phase 2, expanding the Licensing By-law to include two new licence classes: “Class B – Principal Residence STA” and “Class C – Additional Residential Unit STA”.
Pending the Zoning By-law Amendment appeal period, Phase 2 is scheduled to launch on January 6, 2025. If any appeals are received, the launch may be delayed. Updates will be provided through the Town’s STA Licensing webpage at www.collingwood.ca/sta.
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Launch of Phase 2 of STA Licensing
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At the Council meeting on November 18, 2024, the STA Licensing By-law 2024-078 was approved to implement Phase 2 of the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Service as outlined in Staff Report C2024-10.
Under Phase 2, two new licence classes will be introduced: “Class B – Principal Residence STA” and “Class C – Additional Residential Unit STA”.
Beginning January 6, 2025, the Town will start accepting applications for Class B and Class C Licences. Application materials and detailed guidance will be available on the Town’s website at www.collingwood.ca/sta.
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Town-Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment
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Update: Staff Report P2024-23 "Municipally Initiated Short-Term Accommodation Zoning By-law Amendment (Town-Wide)" will be presented for Committee's consideration at its meeting on September 9, 2024. View the full Committee agenda here.
On November 6, 2023, Council directed staff through Staff Report C2023-24 to proceed with a Town-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to support the introduction of other types of short-term accommodations beyond bed and breakfasts.
Please take notice that the Council of the Town of Collingwood will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 2:00p.m. during the regular Council meeting to consider the proposed Town-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment under Section 34 of the Planning Act.
Any members of the public may attend in person (Council Chambers, 97 Hurontario Street, Collingwood) or virtually by Zoom webinar. For those wishing to attend virtually, a link will be provided on the Council/Committee of the Whole agenda page at: collingwood.civicweb.net/portal/. Alternatively, you may subscribe to receive an automatic email with meeting agendas here: collingwood.civicweb.net/portal/subscribe.aspx
To view the public notice and the proposed Town-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment, view the "Documents" section on this page.
Please submit any feedback on the Zoning By-law Amendment by June 14, 2024.
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New Class A STA Licences for Bed and Breakfasts!
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On February 1, 2024, Phase 1 of the new Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Service came into effect.
Under Phase 1, all bed and breakfasts in Town are required to obtain a “Class A - Guest Room STA Licence”. If you are currently operating a bed and breakfast, please ensure that the Town has received your licence application by March 1, 2024.
Note: Apart from bed and breakfasts, the prohibition of STAs per the Town’s Zoning By-Law 2010-040 will continue to apply throughout Phase 1. Please ensure you are complying with the Town’s By-laws to avoid fines.
For more information on the STA Licensing Service, or to access application materials and details, please visit www.collingwood.ca/sta.
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Launch of Phase 1 of the Service
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At the Council meeting on November 6th, 2023, the STA Licensing By-law and the phased implementation of the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Service were approved as outlined in Staff Report #C2023-24.
Under Phase 1, new and existing bed and breakfasts will be required to obtain a Class A Licence.
As of February 1st, 2024, the Town will begin accepting Class A Licence applications. Please note, all licence applications must be received by March 1st, 2024 to avoid any penalties for non-compliance with the Licensing By-law.
Staff are working to develop the application and supporting materials to implement Phase 1.
Stay tuned as more information becomes available!
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Report to Committee on STA Licensing Service
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Staff Report #C2023-24 summarizes the feedback from the public consultation with respect to the draft STA Licensing Framework and outlines a phased in implementation of the STA Licensing Service for Committee's consideration at its meeting on October 16, 2023.
To view the staff report, please visit the following link: Staff Report #C2023-24
To view the Committee agenda, please visit the following link: Committee of the Whole - 16 Oct 2023. -
STA Licensing Survey now closed!
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Thank you for participating in the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing Survey! Staff are working hard to analyze the feedback from the public consultation. Results will be submitted to Committee and Council at a future meeting no later than October 2023.
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Drop by the Open House this Wednesday!
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To learn more and connect with the team on the project, drop by the STA Licensing Open House this week on ️Wednesday, July 12th between 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at the Collingwood Public Library (55 Ste Marie St) in FreeSchools World Literacy Room (1st Floor)! -
Come chat with us this Saturday!
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Come chat with members of Council and staff about STAs in Collingwood at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday, June 24th! Our team will be available to address your questions, hear your feedback and provide further information on the draft Licensing Framework.
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We want your feedback!
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We invite you to participate in the survey and have your say in the development of a balanced and effective Licensing Service for short-term accommodations (STAs) in Collingwood. This is your opportunity to share your insights, concerns, and suggestions on various aspects of the proposed Framework and draft By-laws.
Participating is easy! Access the survey on through Engage Collingwood or by clicking here.
Your responses are anonymous, and the survey will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.
To read the more information or to view the STA Licensing Draft Framework, please see Staff Report #C2023-15 or click here.
Please don't delay! The survey will be available until July 31st, 2023.
Thank you for your time! Your input is crucial in shaping a STA Licensing Service that reflects the needs and goals of our community.
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STA Licensing Framework Draft #1
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On May 15, 2023, Committee of the Whole received Staff Report #C2023-15, which summarized a draft STA Licensing Framework and sought approval to obtain feedback from the community on the draft. Council approved staff to prepare and initiate a public consultation on the proposed Licensing Framework at its meeting on June 5, 2023.
More details on the consultation will follow. Stay tuned for another opportunity to have your voice heard on the future of STAs in Collingwood!
