A public survey on short-term rentals in Owen Sound showed strong support for a licensing program.
The city’s corporate services committee will review a staff report at its meeting Thursday that recommends implementing licensing for any residence in Owen Sound that offers rentals of 28 days or less, including bed and breakfasts.
Committee members will also consider a staff recommendation to permit short-term rentals (STRs) only at properties that are a principal residence of an owner.
There were nearly 600 responses to a recent community survey on STRs in Owen Sound. About 75 per cent supported the implementation of a licensing program, the staff report explains.
Noise, parking and the amount of people at the property were the most mentioned drawbacks of STRs respondents identified in the survey.
The committee still needs to discuss the report, and then make a recommendation to city council for approval.
If approved, a by-law to establish a new STR licensing program could be in place by March 2024.