Short Term Rental Accommodation by-law modified to support hosts in good standing

The change to the by-law was made after feedback from the community

Huntsville General Committee agreed to modify the Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) by-law to support those already in good standing, in the October 29, 2025, meeting.

As a result of community feedback about the existing STRA by-law created in 2021 to provide standards for acquiring a licence and operation, staff recommended that changes “to provide better clarity for users of the by-law in regard to renewing the existing STRA licences and ownership classification.”

Their report adds, “As this industry evolves and feedback is received, by-law changes need to occur to ensure that the program remains current and reduces the municipality’s exposure to litigation measures for non-compliance.”

Staff advised that new changes apply to definitions and the “first come first serve” sections of the by-law with added consideration to renewals.

According to their report, the capped 250 licences permitted in the town will now be issued annually based on their category.

New applications will be available after December 31^st of the previous year, and once they are deemed complete, and will be issued on a first come first serve basis.

Renewal applications will be considered as such and can be submitted no sooner than November 1^st of the previous calendar year.

Complete applications received between November 1^st and December 31^st will be considered “prior to” new STRA licences.

Applications after December 31st will be first come first served and new applications will then be classified as complete.

Any renewal application received after the first full weekend of February will be denied and will be required to be submitted as a new application.”

The report adds that the by-law changed “to better adapt the program to ensure current licence holders in good standing will be given a time period to renew their application without competing with new applications.”

Mayor, Nancy Alcock, said she likes the modifications. She added, “I think that’s an excellent change.”

Councillor, Scott Morrison, commended staff efforts for “going out to the public” for the feedback they received.

The new by-law will be forwarded to Council in the next meeting for consideration.