“Asks Administration to prepare a report on how we will license and zone for Air B & B’s in the City.”

Administration brought forward a report regarding the above to the May 6th, 2019 meeting of council. At the time this report was presented, a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) case was being heard regarding the regulatory measures taken by the City of Toronto in relation to the STR market. Due to the pending case, Council passed the following resolution;

  1. That Council Report No. C72/2019 responding to CQ19-2017 regarding licensing and zoning for short term rental accommodations BE RECEIVED FOR INFORMATION; and,

  2. That Council give further consideration to a regulatory regime for short term rental accommodations as follows:

    1. That Administration BE DIRECTED to monitor the outcome of the appeal currently before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal regarding short term rental housing in the City of Toronto; and,

    2. That Administration BE DIRECTED:

      1. to hold any necessary public consultations with stakeholders,

      2. to report back to Council with the results of the Toronto appeal and the public consultations, and

      3. Provide further recommendations for moving forward with a regulatory regime; and further,

  3. That Administration BE DIRECTED to report back on a licensing regime that would include the legal right to annually inspect Airbnb’s without the expressed consent of the homeowner, as a condition of purchasing the license.

The appeal regarding the City of Toronto’s regulatory measures has been decided by the LPAT and Administration has undertaken public consultation related to options for regulatory measures in Windsor.

Discussion:

Consumers who are looking for more choice, flexibility and often lower cost while travelling have driven the rapid growth of the STR market. Those offering properties for rent, commonly referred to as Hosts, are drawn by the prospect of earning extra income in a relatively simple manner through the renting of rooms in their homes or renting out an entire dwelling/property. In recent years, the growth of this industry has prompted municipalities to research and implement various methods of regulation and taxation of the STR industry.