Short-Term Rentals
Short-Term Rental Licenses are non-transferrable.
There is currently a moratorium on accepting new Short-Term Rental applications as a result of Town Council's review of land use controls pertaining to Short-Term Rentals. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
As of July 18, 2022, the Council of the Town of Fort Erie implemented additional amendments to the Short-Term Rental By-law pertaining but not limited to maintaining a register of renters and overnight occupants, advertising, licence revocation and operating without a licence. Please refer to the Short-Term Rental By-law for further details.
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.
2022 Short-Term Rental Program
The Council of the Town of Fort Erie has implemented a number of changes to the Short-Term Rental Program commencing January 4, 2022 including:
- The number of Short-Term Rental licences issued shall be limited to 250 in any given year with 2021 licence holders being provided the first opportunity to renew a licence by March 31st, 2022 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.
As of July 18, 2022 additional amendments were made to the Short-Term Rental Program including:
Maintaining a Register of Renters and Overnight Occupants
For all Short-Term Rental reservations or bookings that are made on or after July 18, 2022, the owner or operator shall 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.
Short-Term Rental Advertising
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.
Revocation of a Licence
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 without a Licence
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.
2022 Short-Term Rental Application Fee:
• 1 or 2 Bedrooms = $750.00
• 3 Bedrooms = $1,250.00
Required Documentation for Short-Term Rental Licence Renewals:
- Completed renewal application form
- 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)
Failure to obtain the appropriate licence will result in a $1,500 fine and 15 demerit points. 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.
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 (May 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)
Fort Erie Short-Term Rental operators can purchase Commercial Season Passes for $100 each. Short-Term Rental operators must have a registered 2022 Short-Term Rental licence in order to purchase Commercial Season Passes.
To purchase Commercial Season Passes online please visit: https://www.forterie.ca/resource/eservicesBayBeachPass.xsp.
Please be advised that physical Commercial Season Beach passes are now available.
Short-Term Rental operators/owners may:
a) Pick-up the Passes at Town Hall (1 Municipal Centre Drive) anytime between 8:30 AM -4:30PM, Monday to Friday, save and except holidays. You can bring either a printed copy of the receipt (e-mailed) or your smart phone 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 - Pass(es) 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 pass(es) 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 Rentals program. For more information, please contact our Business Licence Coordinator at edts@forterie.ca or 905-871-1600, ext. 2252.