Saying it wasn't an easy decision, but the right one, the Municipality of Lakeshore has banned new short-term rental accommodations like Airbnb.
Councillors passed a bylaw defining short-term rental accommodations during a meeting last week.
"Municipalities around the world are struggling to regulate the explosion of these types of operations," said Mayor Tracey Bailey. "What we are really looking to do is level the playing field and ensure businesses like these operate under the same regulations as others, like the many successful bed and breakfast operators that call Lakeshore home."
Councillors noted their concerns about safety standards, especially under the Ontario Building and Fire Codes.
The wording of the bylaw defines a short-term rental as "the commercial use of any residential dwelling unit, or part thereof, or a mobile home or accessory structure on a residential property, used as a place of temporary habitation," for 28 consecutive days or less.
It does not include bed and breakfasts, renting individual rooms, secondary suites, or homes to long-term tenants.
Property owners who already rent a residential property for less than 28 days would also have to follow the same regulations as a bed and breakfast, which are only allowed within a single detached dwelling.
"As a council, we feel this is a fair and balanced approach which allows short-term rental accommodation operators to continue to provide their services to tourists and visitors," said Bailey.
Another motion was approved to possibly license and regulate bed and breakfasts should come before councillors ahead of 2024 budget deliberations.