Short-Term Rentals

Under the new Short-Term Rental By-law, a permit is required if you plan on renting your principal residence, or part of a residential unit for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive nights.

Requirements to be a host

• Homeowners can offer short-term rentals in their own home (principal residence)
• Renters can offer short-term rentals in the rental unit that is their principal residence, unless prohibited by their landlord
• Condominium and housing co-operative unit owners can offer short-term rentals in their principal residence, unless prohibited by their condominium corporation or housing co-operative
• Rural homeowners and cottage owners can offer “cottage rentals” with a separate permit. This must be separate from any permit for their primary residence

• In a principal residence in the urban area, except where bed and breakfast use is prohibited by the Zoning By-law
• In a principal residence in rural villages
• In a cottage or vacation home, secondary suite, or coach house in rural areas other than villages
• In certain dwellings that have legally established as hotels prior to the in-force date of the Short-Term Rental By-law (conditions apply)

Short-term rental hosts:

• Are only able to list (market or book) a short-term rental through short-term rental platforms registered with the City,
• Must include the City-issued host permit number and the maximum number of overnight guests, as noted on the host permit, on all listings
• Must provide guests with contact information and information about noise, parking, and smoking and vaping regulations, as well as fire safety, and emergency services

Hosts may retain an agent to manage bookings and maintain the property. These property managers must register with the City and are subject to similar rules as the host and must have the written authorization of the host.

A landlord, condominium corporation, or housing co-operative may prohibit short-term rentals in their properties. Host permits submitted for prohibited properties will not be issued and host permits issued prior to registration of a prohibition, the host permit will be revoked.

In order to offer short-term rentals, hosts:

• Need a City-issued host permit for their principal residence, at a cost of $112 for two years
• Need a separate City-issued cottage rental permit, at a cost of $112 for two years, to rent one cottage or home in the rural area

Online

Applications can be submitted by email to str_lcd@ottawa.ca or through the online application form.

In person

Business Licensing Centre
735 Industrial Avenue, 2nd floor
Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 4:15 pm

Contact: 613-580-2424 ext. 12735

1. A completed application
2. Applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age
3. Proof of ownership or lease
4. If the property is a rental, written consent from the property owner for its use as a short-term rental
5. Proof that the property is the principal residence of the host such as an Ontario driver’s license or Ontario identification card
6. A floor plan showing the square footage of the residential unit, including the number of bedrooms
7. Proof of insurance (insurance certificate checklist)
8. A signed declaration confirming that the applicant is aware of and will comply with the requirements of the Short-Term Rental By-law
9. Payment in full of the applicable fee

1. A completed application
2. Applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age
3. Acceptable results of a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check
4. A signed declaration confirming no outstanding criminal charges or warrants
5. An Ottawa business address to which notices may be sent
6. A telephone number and email address
7. Proof of insurance
8. Payment in full of the applicable fee

Landlords of rental housing

1. Copy of a lease
2. Proof of property ownership
3. The municipal address of each residential unit to which the prohibition applies
4. Payment in full of the applicable fee, based on the number of units

Condominium corporations

1. A completed declaration that includes the requested documents
2. The municipal address of each residential unit where short-term rentals are to be prohibited
3. Payment in full of the applicable fee, based on the number of units

Housing cooperatives

1. Notarized copy of a by-law of the housing co-operative prohibiting short-term rentals
2. The municipal address of each residential unit where short-term rentals are to be prohibited
3. Payment in full of the applicable fee, based on the number of units

• Completed Short-term rental platform application
• Proof of insurance
• A signed declaration confirming that he or she is aware of and will comply with the requirements of the Short-Term Rental By-law
• Acceptable results of a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check
• Articles of incorporation if applicable
• Name(s) of designated representative

To report an unlicensed host, property manager or platform please call 3-1-1.