Gravenhurst is getting ready to enforce new rules around short-term rentals in the new year.
Council approved the new short-term rental licensing bylaw at the end of May. At the time, council directed staff to develop an administrative monetary penalty system program to be used to enforce the bylaw, which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
During the Sept. 20 council meeting, council officially adopted the administrative monetary penalty system policy and bylaw.
Short-term rental owners must obtain a licence from the town and pay an annual licensing fee of $750 per short-term rental licence. Renters must sign a code of conduct, which details expected behaviours to follow in order to comply with local bylaws and be a good neighbour.
If there is a violation of the licensing bylaw or renters’ code of conduct, the property owner and renter(s) may be subject to a fine, administered through the administrative monetary penalty system.
Before the bylaw takes effect, the town is working to educate people about how it works.
Information about the new bylaw will be posted on the town’s Good Neighbour webpage and social media.
A continued public education platform will come into effect at the same time as the short-term rental bylaw.