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Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law 2023-085 will remain in effect until this date, at which time it will be repealed and replaced by the new By-law 2024-078.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.