Operators of unlicensed Airbnbs and short-term rentals in Oakville could now face fines
Published September 7, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Operators of Airbnb and short-term rental accommodations in Oakville must obtain a licence to operate in order to avoid facing a fine.
Back in 2018, Council approved the zoning amendments and the licensing bylaw permitting short-term accommodations in most housing types as long as the host was the principal resident. Additionally, the bylaw stated that short-term accommodation operators were to obtain a town business licence for $237 per year and that companies such as Airbnb also had to be licensed with the Town of Oakville.
As a result, all short-term accommodations (STA) offering rentals less than 28 days now require a licence.
In a recent tweet, the Town of Oakville issued a reminder about this to local operators.
“Do you offer rentals on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms? If so, you need a license to operate legally or you could face fines,” read the tweet.
To apply for a license, residents must first confirm which category to apply for. The first is the operator category, in which the applicant is the one responsible for the short-term accommodation and the second is the company category, which is a platform advertising for operators.
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Those who wish to apply must ensure that all requirements relating to their licence class have been met. These include a property management and parking plan, a property layout, property owner/tenant consent form, inspection certificate, zoning approval and a heating, venting and air conditioning inspection report performed by an HVAC installer.
For more information on how to apply for a license, click here.
Photo: Town of Oakville