Application Process

• Complete application form online or download and send into the Township office via email, online, mail or in person.
• To understand which class your short-term rental property is under, please review the below chart:

• Payment of fees to be included at the time of application via e-transfer, cheque, or cash.
• Proof of Premises Ownership OR provided signed authorization form If NOT the Owner.
• Site Plan
  • Copy of a survey is preferable. However, a hand drawn site plan can be submitted provided that the plan is accurate and to scale, including all buildings and structures (primary dwelling, garages, boathouses, etc.), driveway, parking spaces, septic, and set-backs to lot lines. Please see example.
• Floor Plan
  • Copy of a floor plan is preferable. However, a hand drawn floor plan can be submitted provided that the plan is accurate and to scale. Include all floor levels, label rooms, fireplace location (if applicable), locations of fire & carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguisher(s) and the location of the information board. Please see example.
• Proof of Insurance.
• Copy of Renter’s Code of Conduct and Signed Owner’s/Licencee Acknowledgement form posted on interior of STR premises.
• Septic System information (as required by STR Class).
• Name and contact information of the Owner or Owner’s Agent (Responsible Person).
• Proof that the Applicant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, if the Applicant is an individual.
• Proof that the Applicant, if a Corporation, is legally entitled to conduct business in Ontario.
• For renewal, applicants will be required to provide proof of previous Licence.

Apply for a Licence

Please complete the Short-Term Rental Application Form online or download and send into the Township office via email, online, mail or in person.

Issued Short Term Rental Licences

If you have concerns and need to report an issue or a by-law violation please contact:

Host Compliance to complete one of the available forms on their website. 

Phone: (705) 996-5123

 To request staff investigate a suspected STR property, please contact Anne Tapley, STR Coordinator:

Email: atapley@lakeofbays.on.ca

Phone: (705) 635-2272 ext. 1245

•  Application & Payment;
• STR Premises inspection; and
• Premises documents inspection including licence, codes of conduct and by-laws.

• The property will not be able to continue to operate unless an appeal is made to Council.
• If the building does not conform to the Township's Zoning or Development Permit by-law, the applicant/owner(s) will need to make an appointment with Planning Services.

• Properties that are zoned according to By-law 2021-076 & 2021-077, which is an amendment to Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2004-181, are permitted to have an STR licence.
• A property must allow for the required setback to side and rear lot line, according to By-law 2012-077, which is an amendment to Development Permit By-law 2004-180. Zones are also outlined in an amendment to the Development Permit by-law.

An Original Shore Road Allowance (OSRA) is a 66-foot wide road allowance around the edges of most lakes, measured back from the shore of the lake across the width of the entirety of each waterfront property.

As a result of comments received from Council and the public, all STR Licence applications will be circulated to Township Departments, including the Township’s Corporate Services Department to verify and comment on any OSRA; and may result in the requirement for an owner to enter into a License of Occupation (LOC) Encroachment Agreement with the Township.

• Staff will request that the applicant checks off on what classification of road leads to the STR premises for emergency services. If the applicant does not know this, the address of the STR will be reviewed by the Township’s Public Works department based on Township’s road map.

• The screening that is completed is for any previous violations or compliance history related to an STR applicant(s), or an STR premises that may be applying for a licence.
• Staff will review the property in relation to applicable Township by-laws (i.e., zoning and provisions).

No, complaints on their own without support cannot qualify as a violation against an STR.

The STR Coordinator along with Township staff with receive and process STR applications. 

The Township's By-law Enforcement Officer will enforce by-law violations and any outstanding STR violations.

•  STR Licence is suspended when three (3) demerit points or confirmed violations are determined within one (1) year.
• STR Licence is revoked when one (1) additional demerit point or confirmed violation is received within one (1) year of the licence suspension date. 

• One must make the request to the Township of Lake of Bays so that it arrives within fifteen (15) days after being served with a decision, order, suspension, or revocation by:

a) Sending a notice of appeal, setting forth the reasons for the appeal, by registered mail to the Township Clerk; or

 b) In Person to the Township Clerk to set forth reasons for the appeal and to request an appeal date; and

c) Remitting payment of the Order Appeal Fee as provided in the Fees & Charges By-law (Fee refunded if order rescinded)

• Upon receipt of the appeal, the Township Clerk will review the appeal request.  Upon the merit of the appeal request, the matter may be resolved with Staff and the requestor, or the appeal may be included on the next available Council Agenda.
• If the appeal is to be heard by Council, the applicant/requestor will be notified by the Township Clerk of the date and time when the appeal will be heard.  Notification will be sent to the mailing address or email provided, or last known mailing address or email for the STR Premises that was identified within the request for an appeal.

•  Denial of an STR Licence Application – person(s) wishes to appeal the decision of staff to deny an application that was submitted to Township staff.
• Order Issued to STR Premises – person(s) wishes to appeal either the timelines or remedy required under an Order issued to an STR Premises.
• Suspension of an STR Licence – Licence holder(s) wishes to appeal the suspension of a licence based on demerit points or confirmed violations against the property/owner(s).
• Revocation of an STR Licence – Licence holder(s) wishes to appeal the revocation of a licence based on demerit points or confirmed violations against the property/owner(s).