Short-Term Rentals
Short-Term Rental licences 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 in early 2023.
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. 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.
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
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 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 (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)
Short-Term Rental operators must have a registered 2023 Short-Term Rental licence in order to purchase Commercial Season Passes.
Details on the Commercial Season Passes for 2023 will be available shortly.
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.