City staff will take a lengthy look at controls for Barrie’s short-term rentals (STRs).
Council decided Wednesday night, with no discussion, on the investigation for a complaint-based enforcement model, with options related to zoning and the Official Plan, and a report back to community safety committee.
Kathleen Trainor, executive director of Tourism Barrie, said a complaint-based enforcement model is the most cost-effective way for Barrie to regulate STRs.
Barrie does not specifically regulate STRs, such as Airbnb-type properties.
Trainor said Barrie needs more hotels, so for now STRs are a good option — if there is enforcement.
Trainor also said a complaint-based enforcement model is not bad for tourism.
Staff have already identified ways the city could regulate STRs — by its zoning bylaw, its business licensing bylaw, the fees bylaw and even through the potential development of a short-term rentals bylaw itself.
Only a small number of STRs have received complaints, brought to the attention of city staff and members of council. Through municipal law enforcement, staff determined from June 2023 to December 2024 only five STR complaints were received and all were in relation to two STR properties.
Staff also reviewed, through Service Barrie, from October 2023 to December 2024, only two STR complaints and received 11 inquiries.
STR complaints are managed by the city, Barrie police, Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES), Airbnb and other internet-based accommodation sharing platforms.
City bylaws which impact STRs include parking, property standards, burn permits and noise.
Barrie police do not have data specific to STRs, while BFES reports six complaints were received from July 2022 to December 2024, specific to open air burning for an STRs property. Violations were found in three of the cases.