French River moves to regulate short-term rentals

The Municipality of French River has taken another step toward becoming one of the first in the region to legislate the use of short-term rentals.

In past decades, the community has become a haven for seasonal residents and tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. At one point there were almost 100 short-term rentals operating within the confines of French River with no legislation governing the use.

That was an issue that concerned its mayor Gisèle Pageau.

"The reason why we're so detailed is because we want to afford the protection to not only our residents who live here, who will be neighbours to our short-term rentals, but also to the tourists that will be coming here,” Pageau said.

“If you go into a short-term rental and it's not regulated and you're not supposed to be more than four people in there and you're sticking 30 people in there, something is going to go wrong eventually.”

The mayor and council are hopeful with proper inspections, the municipality will ensure homes that are being rented are safe.

Other rules include an annual permit, proof of insurance and capping the number of people who are allowed to stay at a property.

"Our main concern is to get it right,” Pageau said.

The Municipality of French River has taken another step toward becoming one of the first in the region to legislate the use of short-term rentals. (File)

“It's a living document, of course. Yes, we are limiting it only to 50 because of the research that was done and based on our population. We want the tourists who do come here in those 50 Air B&Bs -- or Vrbos or whatever -- that they are placed in proper accommodations and that their safety is ensured.”

The mayor gives a lot of credit to staff who have been doing research from other regions in hopes of meeting the need of French River.

USED AS AN EXAMPLE

The municipality was one of the first communities to enact a trailer bylaw. Since then, many communities across northern Ontario have used it as an example and implemented similar laws.

Other communities are watching closely to see if similar rules can be implemented in their communities, including some on Manitoulin Island and along the North Shore.

"Short-term rentals, they're not regulated at all,” Pageau said.

“You can have a two-bedroom cottage with 30 people in there. That's wrong in so many ways.”

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Councillors asked staff lots of questions, including whether they should put limits on other areas, including the number of young children. It has since been passed by council.

It will now return to the meeting on Nov. 15 for a final vote.