Those renting their homes for 28 days or fewer in Milton will now have to pay a licensing fee and adhere to certain restrictions as part of the town’s new short-term rental licensing bylaw, passed recently in council.
The new regulations took effect July 15.
The annual licensing registration fee costs $447 for a new application and $315 for renewal, which includes fire department inspection and a certificate of occupancy.
The licensing scheme limits rentals to principal residences for a maximum 180 days per calendar year, while capping the number of guests per accommodation to two people per bedroom. It requires valid certificates of occupancy and mandatory annual safety inspections.
The regulations and zoning bylaw amendments — the latter includes an off-street parking requirement of one additional space per rental — have been in the works for about two years following an increase in complaints from locals about unkempt properties, noise and parking problems from short-term rental properties, according to a staff report.
To ensure compliance, part-time bylaw officers will be hired for an 18-month pilot at an estimated cost of $80,000.
Mary Beth McMullen, manager of licensing and enforcement, said at the meeting that the enforcement staff will be scheduled for an overnight rotation. Although the primary enforcement response will be specific to short-term rentals, they will be able to respond to other concerns, such as noise and parking.