Georgian Bluffs is sticking with its licensing program for short-term rental properties.
Township council voted against a staff recommendation during its meeting Wednesday to ditch the licensing system and instead allocate more dollars to proactive by-law enforcement of short-term accommodations.
Staff reported higher than expected costs in the first year of the licensing program and projected ending it could result in annual savings of about $64,000.
“The current licensing model is not financially sustainable and relies heavily on the tax base. Despite the administrative investment, short-term rental related complaint volumes remain low and consistent with pre-licensing levels, with no clear evidence of a reduction resulting from the program,” Georgian Bluffs Acting Clerk Carly Craig told township council.
But township councillors opted to keep the program in place, citing concerns about the risks of not aligning with neighbouring municipalities. Owen Sound, Grey Highlands, South Bruce Peninsula, Northern Bruce Peninsula and The Blue Mountains all have their own forms of short-term rental licensing programs. Meaford and Kincardine have been looking at introducing licensing as well.
Georgian Bluffs implemented its program in 2025, requiring all operators of short-term rentals like AirBNBs to obtain a licence to legally operate in the township.
“If we don’t do it and we don’t keep going with this, our neighbouring municipalities all have it implemented,” says Georgian Bluffs Coun. Rick Winters. “We’re going to become the dumping ground, for (short-term accommodations). Go to Georgian Bluffs, they’re regulating.”
Coun. Cathy Moore Coburn: “I fully agree with Councillor Winters’ comments. We might as well hang a sign up saying ‘bring your business here, because we’re not regulating it, we’re not restricting it.”
The motion passed by council also included a few adjustments to the township’s licensing program for short-term rentals. The compliance deadline for operators will move to May 31, and an “underutilized” 24/7 complains hotline will be discontinued.
Some fee adjustments will also be made to “improve fairness for residents.”