Short-Term Rentals
Effective May 8, 2023 the Short-Term Rental Moratorium will be lifted at 8:30 a.m, EDT
At the Regular Council meeting held on April 24, 2023, Council passed a resolution to lift the Short-Term Rental (STR) Licencing moratorium effective May 8, 2023.
On Monday, May 8, 2023 starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT, new applications will be received, with the applicable documents, online only.
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first- serve basis.
Short Term Rental Application Form
Early submissions prior to May 8, 2023 will not be accepted.
A maximum of 250 Short-Term Rental Licences can be issued in Fort Erie annually. Given the number of existing licences already issued, there will be approximately 55 remaining licences available for 2023 which will be subject the current By-law: Short-Term Rental By-law
Short-Term Rental Application Requirements:
1. Short-Term Rental Information: Full address, number of legal parking spaces, number of bedrooms and if application is for entire dwelling or bedroom rental only.
2. Owner/Corporation Information: Name of owner(s) and full contact information. (Name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
3. Applicant/Operator Information: Applicant/Operator full contact information (name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
4. Responsible Local Contact Person: Provide full contact information for the responsible local contact person (Local contact person shall be at the premises within 30 minutes of contact).
5. Additional Questions:
a. Are you aware of any outstanding Fire Orders?
b. Are you aware of any Property Orders?
c. Are you aware of any Building Permits?
d. Have you had any interior renovations in the last 10 years? If yes, what was the nature of the renovations?
6. Document Checklist:
- Copy of transfer/deed for ownership confirmation
- Proof of insurance for Short-Term Rental use (minimum liability coverage $2M)
- Fire Evacuation Plan
- Owner Consent Form (if applicable)
- Certificate of proof that the well water is safe to drink (if applicable)
- Acknowledgement by the Region of Niagara that the dwelling has a functioning septic system as of the date of the first rental application (if applicable). Region Contact 905-980-6000 ext. 3358.
The Short-term Rental Land Use Study is ongoing for more information on the Land Use Study, please click here.
Short-Term Rental licences are non-transferrable.
Short-Term Rentals in Fort Erie
The Fort Erie Short-Term Rental program was launched in 2020 to help establish and regulate terms and conditions for Short-Term Rental businesses operating in Fort Erie. The program was introduced by Town Council due to a growing number of concerns from fire services, bylaw enforcement and local residents. Some areas of concern included fire safety, property maintenance and a lack of local contact.
Starting January 1, 2020, all Fort Erie Short-Term Rental operators (such as Airbnbs) are required to obtain a Short-Term Rental licence from the Town of Fort Erie. Licence application forms can be completed online.
2023 Short-Term Rental Program
- The number of Short-Term Rental licences issued shall be limited to 250 in any given year with 2022 licence holders being provided the first opportunity to renew a licence by March 31, 2023, provided the licence holder has complied with all rules (meaning 5 demerit points or less) during the previous year.
- The maximum occupant limits in a Short-Term Rental shall be as follows:
- 1 bedroom = maximum 4 people
- 2 bedrooms = maximum 6 people
- 3 bedrooms = maximum 8 people
- The maximum number of bedrooms in a Short-Term Rental shall be limited to 3.
- Short-Term Rentals with more than 3 bedrooms are allowed to operate and additional bedrooms shall be closed off with appropriate signage posted on the door(s). Maximum occupancy is 8 persons.
- Annual fire and building inspections shall be carried out for each Short-Term Rental premises.
- The time limit for guests visiting Short-Term Rentals shall be 11:00pm each day.
- The owner or operator must maintain a register that contains the following information:
- The name and address of the Renter(s)
- The names of any other Person or Persons who occupy the Premises overnight and/or to who sleeping accommodation will be provided at the Premises during the Short-Term Rental period reserved and/or booked by the Renter(s)
- Upon request of the Town of Fort Erie, the owner shall produce the register for review and/or inspection by the Town.
- Advertising a Short-Term Rental without including the Town of Fort Erie issued licence number may result in a $75.00 administrative penalty and 3 demerit points.
- Advertising a Short-Term Rental with more than three (3) bedrooms may result in a $500.00 administrative penalty and 5 demerit points.
- Advertising a Short-Tern Rental that exceeds the maximum occupancy may result in a $500.00 administrative penalty and 5 demerit points.
- Advertising a Short-Term Rental without a licence may result in a $1,000 administrative penalty and a two (2) year prohibition on applying for a licence from the date on which the first Penalty Notice is issued. In the event a Short-Term Rental continues to advertise without a licence, the administrative penalty will increase to $1,500 for each subsequent infraction and the prohibition can be extended up to five (5) years.
- A Short-Term Rental licence will be immediately revoked where the total number of Demerit Points in effect against a Short-Term Rental is fifteen (15) or more. An Owner whose licence has been revoked may, within ten (10) days of being notified of the revocation, submit a written request to the Coordinator to appeal the licence revocation to the Hearing Officer.
- Operating a Short-Term Rental without a licence may result in a $1,500 administrative penalty and a two (2) year prohibition on applying for a licence from the date on which the first Penalty Notice is issued. In the event a Short-Term Rental continues to operate without a licence, the administrative penalty will increase to $2,000 for each subsequent infraction and the prohibition can be extended up to five (5) years.
2023 Short-Term Rental Application Fee:
• 1 or 2 Bedrooms = $750.00
• 3 Bedrooms = $1,250.00
Short-Term Rental Application Requirements:
1. Short-Term Rental Information: Full address, number of legal parking spaces, number of bedrooms and if application is for entire dwelling or bedroom rental only.
2. Owner/Corporation Information: Name of owner(s) and full contact information. (Name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
3. Applicant/Operator Information: Applicant/Operator full contact information (name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
4. Responsible Local Contact Person: Provide full contact information for the responsible local contact person (Local contact person shall be at the premises within 30 minutes of contact).
5. Additional Questions:
a. Are you aware of any outstanding Fire Orders?
b. Are you aware of any Property Orders?
c. Are you aware of any Building Permits?
d. Have you had any interior renovations in the last 10 years? If yes, what was the nature of the renovations?
6. Document Checklist:
- Copy of transfer/deed for ownership confirmation
- Proof of insurance for Short-Term Rental use (minimum liability coverage $2M)
- Fire Evacuation Plan
- Owner Consent Form (if applicable)
- Certificate of proof that the well water is safe to drink (if applicable)
- Acknowledgement by the Region of Niagara that the dwelling has a functioning septic system as of the date of the first rental application (if applicable). Region Contact 905-980-6000 ext. 3358.
Failure to obtain the appropriate licence will result in a $1,500 administrative penalty and a two (2) year prohibition on applying for a licence from the date on which the first Penalty Notice is issued. In the event a Short-Term Rental continues to operate without a licence, the administrative penalty will increase to $2,000 for each subsequent infraction and the prohibition can be extended up to five (5) years. In addition, a list of registered Short-Term Rental properties in Fort Erie is now available.
To access eServices and pay an outstanding administrative penalty please click here.
Short-Term Rental Requirements
Please click here to access the list of certified Fire Protection Companies for maintenance of fire safety equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers).
Contacting By-law Enforcement (905-871-1600, ext. 5216)
We want everyone to enjoy being part of the Fort Erie community. If you are concerned that a Short-Term Rental property might be violating Town bylaws (i.e., noise and nuisance, parking, property standards, fire safety or building violation), please take a minute to review our FAQs or Short-Term Rental By-law to confirm. If confirmed, please call Municipal By-law Enforcement during hours of operation at 905-871-1600, ext. 5216, or use the online submission form (https://www.forterie.ca/resource/eservicesBylawSTR.xsp) .
Hours of Operation (June 1 to September 30)
Hours of Operation (October 1 to April 30)
If you have concerns about a Short-Term Rental property regarding noise and nuisance or parking outside of regular business hours, please call the non-emergency number for the Niagara Regional Police Services at 905-871-2300. In case of an emergency, always call 911.
Bay Beach (Also known as Crystal Beach)
Commercial Season Passes are now available for $100 each.
To purchase Commercial Season Passes online please visit: https://www.forterie.ca/resource/eservicesBayBeachPass.xsp.
Local accommodation operators/owners may:
a) Pick up the Passes at Town Hall (1 Municipal Centre Drive) anytime between 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, save and except holidays. You can bring either a printed copy of the receipt (e-mailed) or your smartphone with the e-mail on it along with photo ID for you or the person you have designated to collect the pass(es). Please contact Town Hall via phone at 905-871-1600 prior to pick-up to ensure your order is ready.
b) Receive the Passes via Mail - Passes will be sent first-class mail with Canada Post. Please be aware that the Town will not be held responsible for delayed, lost or damaged items and we will not be in a position to reissue passes for any such reasons.
Contact
Please take a minute to review the By-laws referenced above as well as reference our FAQs for operators to further better understand our Short-Term Rental program. For more information, please contact our Business Licence Coordinator at edts@forterie.ca or 905-871-1600, ext. 2252.