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At their meeting on Sept. 23, 2025, Port Colborne City Council approved a new by-law to License, Regulate and Govern Short-Term Rental Accommodations in Port Colborne. The new by-law will come into effect on November 1, 2025 and will regulate all pre-existing and future short-term rental accommodations within the community.
The new by-law establishes clear rules for operating short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and VRBO properties, while balancing opportunities for tourism and property owners with neighbourhood safety and quality of life for residents.
“Short-term rentals are part of today’s housing and tourism landscape, but they must be managed responsibly,” said Port Colborne Chief Administrative Officer, Bryan Boles. “This by-law is designed to support safe and compliant rentals while addressing resident concerns about parking, garbage, noise, and safety.”
Key Elements of the New By-law
- All short-term rentals must be licensed with the City before operating or advertising.
- Licence numbers must be displayed and included in all listings and advertisements.
- Rentals must meet fire and safety standards, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and a posted fire safety plan.
- Owners must carry at least $2 million in liability insurance covering short-term rental use.
- A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond quickly to complaints or emergencies.
- Occupancy for the unit is limited by the number of bedrooms, with strict renter and guest limits:
- Two renters are permitted per licensed bedroom, to a maximum of 10 renters. If five bedrooms are on site, a maximum of 10 renters are permitted (two per bedroom). Up to two additional renters under the age of 16 are permitted, and infants up to two years of age are excluded from the total count.
- One guest is permitted per licensed bedroom, to a maximum of five guests. If five bedrooms are on site, a maximum of five guests are permitted (one per bedroom). Guests must leave the property before 11 p.m.
- Rentals must provide adequate on-site parking and store garbage in secure containers in approved areas.
- Owners are required to maintain a register of renters, guests, and safety checks, available to the City upon request.
- Licences expire annually on December 31 (the first licence will be valid until December 31, 2026) and must be renewed with updated inspection and maintenance reports.
The City anticipates a significant number of licence applications will come from owners of private rental units within Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores, which is zoned as Vacation Residential (VR). Because the company operating the park has already established some of its own rules and regulations for private rentals, the new Short-Term Rental Accommodation Licensing By-law includes some specific tailored provisions that take this framework into account.
These include:
- Allowing park model trailers and mobile homes to be used for sleeping accommodations.
- Occupancy limits for renters and guests, and parking requirements will be set by the park operator, rather than prescribed by the by-law.
- Garbage management rules differ slightly, permitting the use of community commercial garbage containers.
Community Engagement & Feedback
The City placed a strong emphasis on listening to residents and operators before finalizing the by-law. Beginning in May 2025, Port Colborne launched a comprehensive engagement campaign that included:
- Online and Paper Surveys – Hundreds of residents and property owners shared their thoughts on issues such as renter and guest limits, parking requirements, garbage management, and fire safety.
- Public Open Houses – Two sessions gave the community the chance to ask questions, speak directly with staff, and provide feedback on the proposed by-law.
- Direct Input from Operators – Short-term rental owners, including those at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores, provided insight into the day-to-day realities of managing rentals.
Feedback showed broad support for introducing stronger rules to ensure responsible operation of short-term rentals. The most common priorities raised included:
- Clearer limits on renters and guests
- Stronger rules for garbage management
- Parking requirements to reduce neighbourhood impacts
- Ensuring fire and safety standards are consistently applied
- Ensuring municipal bylaws are enforced in relation to the operation of short-term rental accommodations
This feedback was critical in shaping the final by-law, with several changes made to reflect what the community reported during the community engagement phase. For example, garbage management rules were expanded, guest limits were clarified, and additional requirements were added to ensure site plans include parking areas.
“Residents and operators alike played an important role in shaping this by-law,” said Chief Building Official Danny Rodgers. “Their feedback helped us strike a balance between welcoming visitors, supporting responsible operators, and protecting the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.”
Communications & Next Steps
A comprehensive communications and education campaign will be launched within the coming weeks to ensure operators and residents understand the new requirements under the by-law. This will include a dedicated webpage and FAQs, social media updates, newspaper notices, and direct outreach to operators.
An online application for short-term rental accommodation owners will go live by October 1, 2025.
The repeal of the City’s former Bed & Breakfast By-law is also included, with those establishments now licensed under the new short-term rental accommodation framework.
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