At their June 5th meeting, Council endorsed staff obtaining further feedback from the public on a draft licensing program to regulate short-term accommodation (STA). The Town is excited to launch a second round of public consultation to better understand the community’s thoughts, concerns, and suggestions on the proposed STA Licensing Framework and draft By-laws.
In the Town of Collingwood, (STA) means the use of a dwelling unit, or any part of a dwelling unit, as a rental for 30 days or less. Under the Town’s Zoning By-law No. 2010-040, STA is not permitted in Collingwood, except as a bed and breakfast. Despite the ban, there has been a recent surge in popularity for STA, due to the potential financial benefits for property owners and unique accommodation options for visitors. However, this trend also raises concerns about housing availability, neighbourhood character, community safety, and regulatory enforcement.
Enforcing the ban on STA has been difficult for the Town, as operators continue to offer STA despite various efforts made to address the issue. As a response, the Town is reviewing its approach to regulating STA to identify a suitable path forward that reflects the needs and goals of the community.
A STA Licensing Program will provide the Town with new tools to address neighbourhood concerns, promote responsible hosting practices and improve the overall health and safety of the community for residents and visitors.
Participating is easy! Visit our STA project page on Engage.Collingwood.ca and complete the survey. Your responses are anonymous, and the survey will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete. Data collected will not be used for enforcement purposes and will contribute to the development of a comprehensive STA Licensing Program that reflects local objectives. Hard copies are also available at Town Hall, 97 Hurontario Street or the Municipal Offices, 55 Ste Marie Street.
The feedback gathered will be shared in a future staff report to Committee and Council and will inform updates to the draft Licensing Framework.
Come chat with members of Council and staff about STAs in Collingwood at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday, June 24th. The Town is also hosting an Open House on July 12th, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Community Rooms B & C at the Library. Our team will be available to address your questions, hear your feedback and provide further information on the project.
Please don’t delay! The survey closes on July 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
Take the survey and learn more, please visit:
https://engage.collingwood.ca/short-term-accommodations