Update on Short Term Rental Licenses
NEW: As directed by Council on December 10, 2024, the Town is no longer accepting new Short Term Rental applications for Cottage Rentals, Country Inns, Vacation Apartments, and Villas. Existing Short Term Rental operators may continue to renew their licences at https://www.notl.com/short-term-rentals. Applications that are already in process as of December 10, 2024, will continue.
Staff will conduct a detailed analysis of Short Term Rentals in relation to how many are in the community and if there should be a maximum limit imposed, with findings to be presented to Council by June 1, 2025.
Town staff are available to assist applicants with the renewal process and to answer any questions. For assistance, please call 905-468-3266 or email str@notl.com
Short Term Rental Licensing
In the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a license is required to operate a short term rental. Please be aware that websites like Airbnb and VRBO are merely platforms for advertising. To legally operate a short-term rental in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you must possess a valid short term rental license.
Types of short term rental establishments:
- Bed and Breakfast
- Cottage Rental
- Country Inn
- Vacation Apartment
- Villa
Short Term Rental Application Process
2025 Short Term Rental Application
A complete application must be submitted, including the additional documents below.
Please note the process from submitting a complete application to receiving a valid license may take up to 10 weeks.
Property Inspections and Checklists
The Town's Fire and By-law department will inspect the property for all new and renewal applications. To ensure your property is ready for inspection, please complete and sign a By-law and Fire checklist and send it to str@notl.com. Please choose the appropriate Fire checklist based on the type of rental you are licensing.
By-Law Inspection Checklist - All Rental Types
Fire Inspection Checklist - Bed & Breakfasts, Cottages and Vacation Apartments
Fire Inspection Checklist - Country Inns and Villas
If you have any questions regarding the short term rental licensing process, please contact the Short Term Rental Coordinator, Tayler Rodrigue, by phone at 905-468-3266 Ext. 278 or by email at tayler.rodrigue@notl.com.