The new Short Term Rental By-Law and Licensing Program is here
The soft rollout of the new Short Term Rental (STR) Licensing Program continues with the launch of the Short Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application.
STR owners can fill out the form online or they can download the fully accessible version of the form, fill it out and bring it in to the Municipal Law Enforcement Office, with all required documents, to make the payment.
To register for a Short Term Rental Accommodation Business license please fill out the online form here:
Short Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application (online)
A paper copy of the form can be downloaded for printing here:
Short Term Rental Accommodation Business License Application (print)
Short Term Rental Owners are also encouraged to download and print out the following two documents to place in your Short Term Rental for renters and visitors to read upon arrival:
STR Information Sheet for Renters and Owners
STR Information Sheet for Complaints
Please note that this is a soft rollout of the application form. Staff are currently working to have the new 24/7 Complaint Hotline set-up as soon as possible, an announcement will be made as soon as it is ready.
Short Term Rental Accommodation Business Licensing registration fees (effective June 20, 2023):
Type | Fee |
Hosted (May to October or November to April) | $150 |
Hosted (Year Round) | $300 |
Un-hosted (May-October or November to April) | $750 |
Un-hosted (Year Round) | $1,500 |
"Hosted" means the short-term rental of a dwelling or premises with the licensee/host owner/permanent resident residing at the property while it is being used as a Short-Term Rental Accommodation. "Un-hosted" means the short-term rental of a dwelling or premises in which the licensee/host/owner/permanent resident is not residing at the property while it is being used as a Short-Term Rental Accommodation. Please note that the licensing fee must be collected prior to Agency Approval and that all licensing fees are non-refundable. |
By-law Inspection Fees
Short Term Rental property owners are encouraged to be active hosts in ensuring that their guests enjoy an excellent stay in Kawartha Lakes and that their neighbours maintain an excellent quality of life.
Please remember that Short Term Rental operators can be held accountable for the actions of their guests. If a Municipal By-law is broken, By-law fines can be charged to the individuals who violated the regulation and inspection fees can be charged to the property owner.
Fee (2023) | |
First Occurrence | $115 |
Second Occurrence | $232 |
Third Occurrence | $458 |
Fourth Occurrence | $921 |
Fifth Occurrence | Fees Double |
What do I need to know if I'm renting a Short Term Rental?
What is a Short Term Rental (STR)? |
Short Term Rentals are when you stay in a rental space for 28 days or less. This can include renting a private room in a home, an entire home, a seasonal property like a cottage or any other space. Short Term Rentals do not include established accommodations such as bed and breakfasts, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds. |
New Short Term Rental By-Law |
Short Term Rental owners and operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new By-law. It can be found at the following link: License, Regulate and Govern Short Term Rental Accommodation Businesses in the City of Kawartha Lakes By-law For STR By-law details and queries, please contact Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing at 705-324-9411 ext. 1212. |
Documentation Needed for your Application |
The following documentation will need to be submitted with the completed application form:
View an example of a Site Plan Drawing here (accessible version available upon request). |
Fire Pit and Open Air Burns |
Bonfires can be an important part of the cottage experience, but remember that they can also be dangerous. Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service implements a Burn Ban if the weather conditions make fires unsafe. Be sure to visit the Fire Burn Bans, Permits and By-Laws page to view the current Burn Ban status and view other important rules and regulations before doing any open air burning. Important things to remember: |
Waste and Recycling |
Kawartha Lakes is beautiful – and we want to keep it that way. Proper disposal of garbage and recyclables is essential to keeping our community and waterways clean. Always:
Visit the Waste and Recycling page to learn more about proper disposal of waste and waste collection days and to view the Municipal Waste Calendar. |
Parking |
For everyone’s safety, roadways and road access must be kept clear to ensure residents, visitors and emergency vehicles have access to properties. Parking should occur entirely on the property that you are visiting, however, if parking use of the roadways occurs please be considerate of your neighbours. Ensure vehicles are parked legally on roadways and are parked on the correct property. To learn more visit the Roads and Parking page. |
Noise |
Municipal By-law Enforcement can respond to noise complaints along with local Police Service. Please be sure that you’re respecting your neighbours by following the following noise By-laws:
|
Pets |
If you’re bringing your dog along to your Short Term Rental property, please ensure that they are under care and control at all times, and that they don’t wander on to neighbouring properties. |
Fireworks |
As part of Firework By-Law 2007-236. You do not need a permit to use consumer fireworks on the following dates, or the 1 day preceding or the 1 day following: Requirements to follow when using consumer fireworks include:
Visit the Fire Services page to read the full By-law, for firework permit applications, and for important guidelines on fireworks safety. |
Property Standards |
The Property Standards By-law focuses on the maintenance and occupancy of property in the municipality. Visit the By-laws page to review the Property Standard By-law. |
Who do I call to make a complaint about a Short Term Rental property?
If you’ve noticed that a Short Term Renter or a Short Term Rental property owner is violating a By-law or regulation, please let us know.
Issue | Contact Information |
For Municipal Law Enforcement Complaints including but not limited to:
Contact Kawartha Lakes Municipal Law Enforcement. |
Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm 705-324-9411 extension 1238
Monday to Friday 4:30pm to 9pm or Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6:30pm 705-928-3054 Coming Soon |
For structural alterations/additions, a building without a permit or septic concerns, please contact the Municipal Building Department. |
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm 705-324-9411 extension 1288 |
For emergencies such as but not limited to:
|
Call 9-1-1 |
For non-emergency burn complaints, contact the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service. |
24/7: 705-324-2191 Complaints can also be made with the Municipal Law Enforcement office as outlined above. |
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Leads Program If you suspect a business, charity, or person of tax or benefit cheating in Canada, you can report them to the CRA's Leads Program. |
Submit a Tax or Benefit Cheating lead online here Monday to Friday 8:15am to 4:45pm Call: 1-866-809-6841 Fax: 1-888-724-4829 Mail: National Leads Centre, Canada Revenue Agency, 200 Town Centre Court, Scarborough, ON, M1P 4Y3 |
For information on provincial fishing licenses, fishing limits, rules and regulations |
Visit www.ontario.ca/fishing |
For information on wildlife or bear problems | Visit www.ontario.ca/wildlife |
To report a municipal issue, such as garbage on the roadside or road maintenance issues. |
Report an issue or concern online For all emergencies, call 9-1-1 |
For any other questions. |
Contact the municipality of Kawartha Lakes, by calling 705-324-9411 or toll-free at 1-888-822-2225. For after-hour Municipal emergencies, please contact 1-877-885-7337. |
History of Short Term Rentals in Kawartha Lakes
September 2023 - STR Jump In Page archived |
With the community consultation and engagement phase of the STR project complete, the STR Jump In page has officially been archived. Moving forward all updates and Short Term Rental information will be put on this webpage. For historical context and to read up on how we've gotten to this point in the process, please visit the archived STR Jump In project page here. |
August 2023 - Short Term Rental Business Accommodation License Application Launches |
The soft rollout of the new Short Term Rental (STR) Licensing Program continues with the launch of the Short Term Rental Business Accommodation License Application. STR owners can fill out the form online or they can download the fully accessible version of the form, fill it out and bring it in to the Municipal Law Enforcement Office, with all required documents, to make the payment. To register for a Short Term Rental Business Accommodation license please fill out the online form here: Short Term Rental Business Accommodation Application (online) A paper copy of the form can be downloaded for printing here: Short Term Rental Business Accommodation Application (print) |
July 2023 - Short Term Rental program implementation timeline |
Next steps for the implementation of the new Short Term Rental (STR) Licensing Program have started. Once program details are finalized, more information on how to register your STR will be circulated. While Staff work on finalizing those details, here is the anticipated STR program implementation timeline for the rest of the year: Soft Rollout: June 2023
Phase 1: July to August 2023
Phase 2: September to October 2023
Phase 3: November to December 2023
Full Program: January 2024 onwards
Although Staff will be sticking to the above timeline as closely as possible, please note that the implementation timeline is subject to change. |
June 2023 - Council adopts new By-law and approves licensing program |
At the June 20, 2023 Regular Council meeting, Council adopted a new By-Law and approved a soft rollout for a licensing program. The changes are being put in place to ensure the health and safety of all renters and residents. The new program and By-law will allow the municipality to respond to concerns quickly, and to ensure that owners are taking responsibility for the safe and respectful use of their properties.
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March 2023 - Public Information Session 2 |
The Short Term Rental survey closed on February 15, 2023. Thank you to all of those that filled out the survey. We had over 1000 replies making it one of our most filled out surveys ever! Survey results have been posted in the Documents section on the Short Term Rental Jump In page. View the survey results here. Please note that there will be a second drop-in Public Information Session where the community can come to see the results of the survey, read the highlights of the new draft By-law, ask questions about the survey or draft By-law, and learn what comes next for Short Term Rentals in Kawartha Lakes (key upcoming Council dates, how to sign up for a deputation, etc.) Public Information Session 2 Details: Date: Monday March 6, 2023 Time: 4pm to 7pm Location: Coboconk Service Centre, Community Room, 9 Grandy Road, Coboconk, ON |
February 2023 - Public Information Session 1 |
The Short Term Rental survey closed on February 15, 2023. Thank you to all of those that filled out the survey. We had over 1000 replies making it one of our most filled out surveys ever! |
December 2022 - Short Term Rental Jump In Survey Launches |
In the Summer of 2022, City Staff were tasked with monitoring and tracking complaints regarding Short Term Rentals in the City of Kawartha Lakes with the goal being to bring a report to Council by March 31, 2023. |
June 2019 - Council receives Short Term Rentals Update |
At the June 4 Committee of the Whole, Council received an update on Short Term Rentals in Kawartha Lakes. Presented by Municipal Law Enforcement, this update included information about ongoing public education campaigns, how many calls are received about Short Term Rentals and more. Council moved to continue with monitoring Short Term Rentals and implementing an education campaign. Read the full presentation here. |
August 2018 - Council makes a decision on Short Term Rentals |
Council made a decision on short term residential rentals in the City of Kawartha Lakes at the August 14 Council Meeting. Council adopted the first option of the Short Term Rentals Follow Up Report to continue to monitor short term residential rentals and implement several amendments to City by-laws to enable Municipal Law Enforcement to better respond and track issues arising at these properties. Read the full news release in our newsroom. |
June 2018 - Council receives update on Short Term Rentals |
City staff have completed an extensive review of short term residential rentals in the City of Kawartha Lakes and will be providing an informational report to Council on the June 19 agenda on the outcomes of the review and proposed options for Council consideration. Read the full news release in our newsroom. |
April 2018 - Kawartha Lakes wants public input on Short Term Rentals |
The City’s Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Division hosted a Short Term Rentals Public Forum and invited residents to attend. Read the full news release in our newsroom. |
October 2017 - Council to explore regulations on Short Term Rentals |
At the October 10 Council meeting, Council received a staff report on the implications of regulating short term rental accommodations and made the decision to proceed with public consultation on the matter. Staff will bring back a report on other options including costs by the end of June 2018. Read the full news release in our newsroom. |
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