Augusta property owners who are or are wishing to use their homes as short term rentals (Airbnb’s etc.) must follow the rules and regulations laid out in By-Law 3724-2024 (the “short term rental” By-Law) and its amendment By-Law 3726-2024. house with sign that says short term rentals

According to this By-Law, all short term rental properties must be licensed by the Township every year.

A short-term rental (STR) is defined in the By-Law as a dwelling unit that is:

Marketed or brokered by a short-term rental platform.
Not a Bed and Breakfast, Boarding or Lodging House, Motel, Hotel, Tourist Establishment, Tourist Lodge, Tourist Outfitters Establishment or Tourist Trailer, as defined in the Zoning By-Law, which definitions may be amended from time to time.

A short-term rental license must be renewed by December 31st every year and will be issued to the owner of the property.

NOTE: The fee for a short-term rental license is $500 per year. The fines for operating a short-term rental without a valid license are $900 per day, per offence.

Here are a few key points from By-Law 3724-2024:

No owner or operator shall operate or market or permit the marketing of a short-term rental without holding a valid licence issued under the provisions of this By-Law.
A person is not eligible to hold a short-term rental license if the proposed use of that land, building or structure is not permitted by the Zoning By-Law.
No owner or operator shall market, provide or operate a short-term rental in:
- An accessory building
- A motor vehicle or trailer
- An unlawful residential unit
- Community housing
This By-Law does not apply where the dwelling unit is the owner(s)/operator(s) primary residence and is occupied by the owner(s)/operator(s) when the dwelling has been rented or is in use by other person(s).
This By-Law does not apply to a secondary suite or additional residential unit (ARU) provided that the main residential unit, located on the same legal property, is the owner(s)/operator(s) primary residence and is occupied by the owner(s)/operator(s) when the additional residential unit/secondary suite has been rented or is in use by other person(s).
Documentation dated within twelve (12) months confirming the following will be required upon applying:
- That the premises conforms to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and its regulations as they relate to the operation and use of the premises for short-term rental purposes.
- That the premises conforms to all Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) codes and standards as they relate to the operation and use of the premises for short-term rental purposes.
- The premises conforms to all Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) requirements and provisions of the Electrical Safety Code as they relate to the operation and use of the premises for short-term rental purposes.
- The septic system conforms to all acts, regulations and standards that apply to septic systems .
- A copy of the transfer/deed evidencing the ownership of the premises or, if the premises are rented, proof that the owner consents to its use as a short-term rental.
- Proof that the applicant has and maintains Homeowners insurance, Condominium Insurance, or Renters Insurance as appropriate, that includes the following:
  - A coverage for short-term rental activity that is appropriate for the nature of the property.
  - A limit of liability of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) inclusive per occurrence for personal injury, bodily injury, death, damage of property.
  - A provision that the Township will be notified with no less than thirty (30) days of cancellation.
- An interior floor plan drawn to scale of the premises and all structures on the property depicting the use of the premises and structures including the proposed occupancy of each room, occupant load for sleeping purposes of each room, location of smoke, heat and/or carbon monoxide alarms and detectors, fire extinguishers, fire and security panels and related site amenities including building services, and utilities shut offs.
- A site plan drawn to scale detailing all buildings, structures, parking, outside utilities and shut offs, and continuous access for emergency vehicles.
- A declaration signed by the applicant confirming that they are aware of and will comply with the requirements of this By-Law.
The Township shall refuse to issue a license or renew a license if the owner or operator of the property on which the short-term rental is situated is indebted to the Township by way of fines, penalties, judgements, or any outstanding (past due) property taxes.
The maximum occupancy shall be determined by the number of accommodation rooms in the short-term rental and confirmation by the applicant that the septic system is adequately sized for the number of accommodation rooms. The maximum occupancy shall not exceed two (2) occupants per accommodation room, up to a maximum of ten (10) occupants per property.
Every holder of a license shall provide all guests with an information package electronically at the time of booking and within the short-term rental unit in a printed document that is visible and accessible to all guests. See the By-Law for the list of items required in the package.
The Township may revoke a license if the Township is of the opinion that the continued operations of the short term rental is likely to cause a significant public nuisance due to excessive noise, violations of applicable property standards or property maintenance.