City of Sault Ste. Marie looks to regulate Airbnb, short-term rentals
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is getting set to hold public consultations on proposed rules surrounding short-term rentals, like Airbnb.
The city is considering limiting each host to owning one property in residential zones, which must also be attached to their primary residence.
The new rules could also enforce valid licences, limit owners to operating for 180 days a year, and could even enforce the four per cent municipal accommodation tax paid by hotels and motels in Sault Ste. Marie.
"It's trying to get the balance of regulation right in Sault Ste. Marie," said city councillor Luke Dufour. "It's so that as the Airbnbs grow, they do so in a way that's compatible with the neighbourhoods that are already existing in Sault Ste. Marie."
The city estimates that there are roughly 13 Airbnb hosts that operate multiple listings throughout Sault Ste. Marie.
Dufour said the idea behind new regulations is not to stop Airbnbs altogether but is instead about being proactive in avoiding situations seen in other cities throughout the country.
"For instance, in Toronto, large sections of neighbourhoods being taken over by Airbnbs, a significant amount of apartment rental housing being turned over to the short-term rental market," he said.
Dufour said he has spoken with a few Airbnb hosts already in how to properly regulate short-term rental services.
One idea that he believes would be fair is grandfathering in those who are voluntarily paying the accommodation tax already.
"That's something we've been doing since we started, so we would be totally on board for it," said Gil Desbois, an Airbnb host in Sault Ste. Marie.
Desbois said he purchased a home next to his own with the intention of operating it as his business.
While nothing is set in stone, he said the new rules present a significant danger to his businesses.
"It would effectively shut us down because we wouldn't be able to operate under that system," he said.
Desbois said giving short-term rental owners the chance to continue their service, benefits the entirety of Sault Ste. Marie.
In his experience, he said some families often are looking to rent entire homes instead of multiple hotel rooms, making their travels to the city much easier.
The tourism group, Destination Northern Ontario also believes having a balance helps the entire hospitality industry grow.
"The more options we have for visitors, we feel the more visitation we'll get," said David MacLachlan, the tourism agency's executive director. "But we do believe some regulation is good. Really it's about levelling the playing field so that it's fair and equitable between all hospitality services."
The city has yet to choose dates for its public consultations at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.