Ramara Township council has taken a major step toward addressing so-called “party houses."
Council recently passed a bylaw to license short-term rental properties. Those wanting to operate a short-term rental will have to pay an annual fee of $1,000.
Mayor Basil Clarke said the fee should be manageable for anyone operating a short-term rental property.
“We didn’t want to make it any more difficult for the mom and pop renting their cottage without ever having any problems,” he said.
The goal always was to crack down on properties that have been an issue in the past, including some of those that are purchased and then used solely as short-term rentals.
“The biggest problem we were having was in Lagoon City,” Clarke explained. “There were about four houses. Some became party houses all summer long. There was a lot of illegal behaviour. It was just frustrating.”
There were reports of renters drinking in the streets and at the local park and “disturbing the peace,” he said.
A petition with 500 signatures led to the creation of a noise bylaw in that area. However, short-term rentals in Ramara "must comply with the noise bylaw, even if it’s not in that particular area,” Clarke said.
Ultimately, he said, the goal is to “control the parties.”
“We are not opposed to short-term rentals,” Clarke said. “We just have to get control of the disturbing of the peace.”
To help enforce the bylaw, the township has hired a bylaw officer and enlisted the services of private security company GardaWorld.
The mayor said he has not heard from anyone who is opposed to the decision, and he noted a short-term rental operator was on the committee tasked with making recommendations to council, which led to the creation of the bylaw that was recently passed.
The township will host an open house in March to provide more information about the bylaw. A date for the open house has not yet been determined.
Licensing requirements under new bylaw
1. No person shall carry on any trade, business or occupation of short-term rental accommodation unless that person has first obtained a licence from the township.
2. A person who obtains a licence shall comply with the regulations set out in this bylaw for such licence. Failure to comply with the regulations constitutes an offence.
3. An agent of persons who own, operate or offer premises for short-term rental accommodation purposes without a licence shall also be personally liable for the compliance of his principal, beneficiary or persons he represents. Failure by such a person to comply with this bylaw constitutes an offence.
4. Licences issued pursuant to this bylaw are conditional upon compliance by the licensee with all municipal bylaws and compliance with all provincial and federal laws and regulations and any conditions imposed to the holding of the licence.
5. No person shall transfer or assign a licence issued under this bylaw.
6. No person shall enjoy a vested right in the continuance of a licence and upon the issue, renewal, transfer, cancellation or suspension thereof, the licence shall be the property of the Corporation of the Township of Ramara.
7. No person shall advertise a short-term rental accommodation without a licence.
