Ottawa City Council Approves New Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

Ottawa City Council votes overwhelmingly in favour of new restrictions to short-term rentals!

As mentioned in our previous blog, the Report on the Rental Accommodations Study, along with various other relevant recommendations/summaries was to be reviewed by the Community Protective Services Committee on November 15, 2019 and, if passed, by City Council on November 27, 2019.  Click  here to see our earlier blog on this issue.

Yesterday, City Council reviewed the report and voted in favour of the proposed regulatory framework.  What does this mean?

• A by-law regulating short-term rentals will now be drafted. This by-law will impose restrictions on owners renting out homes on a short-term basis.

• Once drafted, the by-law will need to be reviewed and approved by City Council.

So, there is still work to be done before these changes are implemented.  However, change is on the horizon. This change will be a welcome addition for condominium corporations that are having difficulties with on-going violations of provisions of the governing documents related to short-term rentals.

As noted by Jim Davidson in his recent blog, the recent decision of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) upheld regulations on short-term rentals in Toronto.  These regulations are similar to the proposed regulations approved yesterday by City Council.

Stay tuned to Condo Law News to keep up to date on the latest developments in condominium law!