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A "Short-Term Rental" (STR) is defined as a structure or part thereof which is used for temporary lodging for a rental period not greater than twenty-eight (28) consecutive days or less in exchange for payment and includes a bed and breakfast, hotel, motel, and inn, but does not include short-term accommodations where there is no payment.
By-law 82-2024 was passed by Council on November 4, 2024. Every Short-Term Rental in the Town of Kingsville is required to be licensed to advertise or operate and comply with the prescribed regulations.
Apply for an STR Licence
Questions?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below. You can also give us a call at 519-733-2305 during our regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or send us an email any time at licensing@kingsville.ca.
**Attention Existing STR Operators**
Existing Short-Term Rentals will be grandfathered in and exempt from the parking and distance separation requirements ONLY IF:
- The STR was in operation before the passage of the By-law on November 4, 2024; and
- The STR Licence Application is made before March 31, 2025.
Complaint Process
The Town is in the process of setting-up a 24/7 hotline to receive complaints regarding Short-Term Rentals. Until the 24/7 hotline is available, please direct complaints to requests@kingsville.ca or 519-733-2305.
If your complaint relates to noise during evenings and weekends, please contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.
In the case of an emergency, please contact 9-1-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Why does the Town licence STRs? |
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The creation of Kingsville's STR Licensing Program was a thorough process that included multiple stages of policy review and development, and public consultation from residents and stakeholders.
The Short-Term Rental Licensing Program was initiated by the Town of Kingsville to address community concerns and to ensure all rentals operate in accordance with the Short-Term Rental By-law, the Ontario Fire Code, and Town By-laws.
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| When will Short-Term Rental Licences be required? |
| The Short-Term Rental By-law was passed by Council on November 4, 2024, at a Regular Meeting of Council. Effective this date, all persons who own, operate or advertise a STR within the Town of Kingsville must obtain a Short-Term Rental Licence from the Town. |
| I only rent my property occasionally, do I still need a STR Licence? |
| Yes, all Short-Term Rental operators require a STR Licence. The time frame your property is available for rentals does not impact your need for a licence. |
| I rent out my property for 29 days or longer at a time, do I still need a STR Licence? |
| No, the definition of a Short-Term Rental is specific to rentals of 28 days or less. However, the Town does licence Boarding, Lodging and Rooming Houses (BLRH) which are rented or provided to occupants on a long-term basis of twenty-eight (28) days or more. This does not apply to long-term rentals under the Residential Tenancies Act. For more information, check out the details below. |
| What is required to obtain a STR Licence? |
- Address of the STR Property
- Applicant's Contact Information
- Property Owner's Contact Information, if not the applicant
- Authorization Letter from Property Owner, if not the applicant
- Copy of Government-Issued Photo Identification with Address, if STR is owner/occupied
- Agent's Contact Information, if not the applicant
- Property Tax Rate of the STR Property
- Number of Bedrooms Available
- Number of On-Site Parking Spaces Available
- Certificate of Insurance
- Satisfactory Fire Inspection
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check of the Applicant
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| How much does a STR Licence cost? |
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The following licensing fees are set in the Town's Fees and Charges By-law and will apply at the time of submitting your Application for an STR Licence:
- Residential STR Licence (Up to 4 Occupants) - $400.00
- Residential STR Licence (Up to 6 Occupants) - $750.00
- Residential STR Licence (Up to 8 Occupants) - $1,400.00
- Residential STR Licence (Up to 10 Occupants) - $1,750.00
- Owner-Occupied STR Licence - $250.00*
- Commercial STR Licence - $250.00
*Where the owner/operator resides full-time on the same property as the STR.
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| How long does the licensing process take? |
| As the Town works to streamline the application process for an STR Licence, it is hard to predict how long the licensing process will take. Submitting a complete application and all supporting documents will help to prevent processing delays. |
| Will my property be inspected before a STR Licence is issued? |
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Yes, Kingsville Fire & Rescue will contact you to schedule an inspection once an Application for an STR Licence is submitted. Please note that the following fees are set in the Town's Fees and Charges By-law and will apply at the time of the inspection:
- Residential STR Fire Inspection (Up to 4 Occupants) - $150.00
- Residential STR Fire Inspection (Up to 6 Occupants) - $200.00
- Residential STR Fire Inspection (Up to 8 Occupants) - $250.00
- Residential STR Fire Inspection (Up to 10 Occupants) - $300.00
- Commercial STR Fire Inspection - $500.00*
*If 10 Occupants or less, the corresponding "residential" fire inspection rate will apply.
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| Do I need to have insurance for my STR? |
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Yes, you will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance that includes the following:
- A liability limit of no less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence for property damage and bodily injury;
- Specifically note the operation of the property as a Short-Term Rental; and
- Endorsed to the effect that The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville be given at least 30 days notice in writing of any cancellation or material variation to the policy.
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| How are maximum occupancy rates determined? |
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Maximum occupancy for operators that pay a Residential Property Tax Rate is calculated at 2 people per bedroom, plus 2 additional people, not to exceed a maximum of 10 people.
Operators that pay a Commercial Property Tax Rate are exempt from the occupancy limits.
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| What happens if my property is within 300 metres of another STR? |
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Short-Term Rentals must be three hundred (300) metres away from each other to receive a STR Licence from the Town. Your application will not be approved if your property is within 300 metres of another Short-Term Rental. If you are unsure if you meet this requirement, please contact the Town at 519-733-2305 or licensing@kingsville.ca before making your application.
The following are exempt from the distance separation requirement:
- Properties located within the Downtown STR Area (Main Street Corridor); and
- Existing STRs operating before November 4, 2024, if an application is made before March 31, 2025.
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| How many parking spaces are required? |
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On-site parking spaces are required based on the number of occupants permitted:
- 1 on-site parking space for 1 to 4 occupants
- 2 on-site parking spaces for 5 to 8 occupants
- 3 on-site parking spaces for 9 to 10 occupants
The following are exempt from the parking requirements:
- Properties located within the Downtown STR Area (Main Street Corridor); and
- Existing STRs operating before November 4, 2024, if an application is made before March 31, 2025.
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| If my STR is licensed, what rules do I have to abide by? |
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Every licensee shall:
- Display the STR Licence in the main entranceway of the STR;
- Include the STR Licence Number on any online advertisements;
- Ensure the Applicant or Agent is available to attend the STR property within sixty (60) minutes of a complaint, concern or emergency to resolve the issue;
- Maintain the STR in a clean and sanitary condition;
- Ensure the STR does not cause a disturbance or nuisance; and
- Not permit any person to occupy any cellar, garage, lobby, hallway, closet, bathroom, laundry room, stairway or kitchen for sleeping purposes.
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| Can I transfer my STR Licence if I sell the property? |
| No, STR Licences issued by the Town are not transferrable. In the event of a change of ownership, the new owner is required to submit a new application. In order to continue to qualify for an exemption from the distance separation requirement, the new owner is required to complete a new application within 90 days of taking ownership of the STR property. |
| Do I have to renew my STR Licence? |
| Yes, STR Licences are valid for one year from the date of issuance. You will be required to renew your licence annually. More information on the renewal process will be provided at that time. |
| What happens if I don't apply for an STR Licence? |
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By-law 82-2024 states that no person shall operate, permit a person to operate, or hold themselves out as being licensed to operate a Short-Term Rental without a licence issued by the Town. Operating a Short-Term Rental without a licence from the Town may result in enforcement action, including fines.
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