Sarnia council has held off on setting new regulations for short-term rental (STR) accommodations.
Numerous individuals spoke in favour and against recommendations to regulate the industry, including one that would see rentals only operated by the principal resident of the dwelling if it's located in a residential zone.
Councillor Terry Burrell felt staff's recommendations weren't quite right.
"I would prefer that the whole thing go back to staff and [they] do some more work with the people who have made presentations and other people in the community," said Burrell. "Maybe there should be two classes of regulation. One where it is homeowner occupied and one where the owners are not necessarily, but there may be different types of rules that should apply to each different class of owner."
Burrell said the presentations convinced him there is a need for short-term rental accommodations, like Airbnb's, in Sarnia.
"On the other hand, there's also a need for it to be regulated, so it doesn't drive neighbours nuts."
Staff have been asked to investigate further and report back in February 2020.
In other business, council approved a rezoning application allowing secondary dwelling units in all urban residential 1 zones.
