---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Neighbours Speak Up <neighboursspeakup(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:58 PM Subject: Ottawa Approves Regulations on Short-term Rentals To: Hi everyone, As some of you may be aware the City of Ottawa has just approved regulations for short-term rentals. I have included a CTV article and the City of Ottawa site describing the regulations and background. They contain many of the provisions we have been advocating here and are quite similar to the recommendations in the HRM staff report last September. As such, we hope they will provide a useful resource for that on-going work. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/council-approves-limiting-short-term-rentals-to-p… https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/rental-accommodat… As you will see Ottawa bases its approach on a staff report submitted in November 15/20 that sought to address issues which are familiar here. They emphasized neighbourhood disruption and safety, displacing housing, and contributing to rent increases and housing costs. Their basic principle is short-term rentals can be provided by primary residents only. Condos and Co-operative housing boards will be able to prohibit STR in their properties. In rental properties and apartment buildings STR will require permission of the landlord. Cottage owners will be subject to a separate permit process. We were also encouraged to see that only 'registered' platforms can advertise STR and all advertisements require posting permit number and maximum number of guests allowed. They have agreed to a 10 person maximum for a property with 2 person maximum per room. Hosts must also inform guests of noise, safety, parking and other requirements. The Ottawa regulations are to come into force on June 1/21 so we will keep an eye on how the implementation progresses. In the meantime, as noted in an earlier update, HRM indicated they would be resuming their work on STR regulations in late Spring and Summer. Obviously, the continuing Covid crisis here will no doubt have an impact on progress with that work. However, at some point, people will be on the move again and having a regulatory approach similar to Ottawa in place will help prevent some of the challenges we have faced in our community. All the Best, Bill Stewart for Neighbours Speak Up -- You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in being updated regarding the short-term rental issue. If you do not wish to receive further messages please let us know.