Georgina Short-Term Rental Accommodation Committee (GSRAC)

Short-term Rental Accommodations (STRA) such as those acquired via Airbnb, VRBO, Kijiji etc. are operating worldwide. A Short-term Rental Accommodation is where residents and property owners rent out rooms or entire units for short periods of time facilitated by online platforms. STRAs have created an informal economy that typically is not yet regulated.

 

Georgina Council passed a by-law on Oct. 9, 2019, regulating Short-term Rental Accommodations (STRA) within the Town. The by-law includes amendments to the Official Plan, Secondary Plans and a Zoning by-law amendment. The main issues with STRA have been related to disruptive renters and negligent hosts. The regulations address these areas of concern while avoiding placing an undue burden on non-disruptive renters and attentive hosts. The by-law came into effect on January 1, 2020.

Short-Term Rental Accommodation Committee

Part IV of the Municipal Act, S.O. 2001, c. 25, permits municipalities to regulate licensing in order to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens, ensure consumer protection, and minimize nuisance. The Georgina Short-term Rental Accommodation Committee (GSRAC) is appointed to conduct appeal hearings in relation to a decision of the Licensing Coordinator to

• refuse to issue or renew a license
• revoke a Short-Term Rental Accommodation License
• hear Short-Term Rental Accommodation License variance requests