Short-term rental accommodations are dwelling units that are rented for a period of 28 days or less at a time. They are typically booked through online platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Kijiji, Facebook, Ontario Cottage Rentals, etc.
The by-law formally came into effect on November 1, 2025 and it requires that anyone advertising or operating a short-term rental accommodation in Port Colborne apply for and display a license.
An annual license is required to operate or advertise.
Your license number is required on any rental listing or advertisements.
Make sure your unit has working smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguishers, and a posted fire safety plan.
Ensure you are carrying 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 is limited by the number of licensed bedrooms, with strict renter and guest caps.
Rentals must provide adequate on-site parking. Street parking is not permitted.
Store and dispose of garbage properly, using secure bins and scheduled collection.
Application Fees
Application Fee: $800 +HST
Renewal Fee (annual): $480 +HST
Staff estimate licenses to be issued within 60 days of receipt of the application
Application Fee: $1,000 +HST
Renewal Fee (annual): $600 +HST
Staff estimate licenses to be issued within 60 days of receipt of the application
Requirements for a Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licence
Please note that if you have multiple units, a separate license application is required for each unit.
Application Information:
Contact information for all registered owners of the property
Links to any advertising for your short-term rental (i.e. Airbnb link, Facebook page link, etc.)
Contact information for your local contact person (this can be you, if you can be contacted by phone within 30 minutes and can attend the property within 60 minutes)
Required Documents:
Statutory declaration signed by all owners of the property stating each owner understands their responsibility as a Licensee
If using an Agent, a letter of authorization, signed by all registered owners of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation property, confirming that you are authorized to act as their Agent
Proof of ownership: Current Sherkston Shores Lease Agreement
Certificate of insurance showing a liability limit of $2,000,000 and an indication that the premises is operating as a short-term rental accommodation
Floor diagram of the short-term rental premises. Please note, that these drawings can be prepared by the owner/applicant. Each diagram should include the following:
The use of each room
The location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and early warning devices
The location of fire extinguishers and exits
The location of records of tests and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, early warning devices and fire extinguishers
The location of all gas and electric appliances
The location of all fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances
All entrances/exits to and from all buildings
A copy of an electrical general inspection dated within 5 years of the date of application. Please note this must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor
A copy of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) inspection report issued by an HVAC technician within the last year
Application Information:
Contact information for all registered owners of the property
Links to any advertising for your short-term rental (i.e. Airbnb link, Facebook page link, etc.)
Contact information for your local contact person (this can be you, if you can be contacted by phone within 30 minutes and can attend the property within 60 minutes)
Required Documents:
Statutory declaration signed by all owners of the property stating each owner understands their responsibility as a Licensee
If using an Agent, a letter of authorization, signed by all registered owners of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation property, confirming that you are authorized to act as their Agent
Proof of ownership of the short-term rental property/premises
Certificate of insurance showing a liability limit of $2,000,000 and an indication that the premises is operating as a short-term rental accommodation
Site diagram of the short-term rental premises. Please note, that this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant. Each diagram should include the following:
The location of all Buildings on the Property
The location of wells and all components of sewage systems
All entrances/exits to and from all Buildings
The exterior decks and related site amenities including dimensioned Parking Spaces, and other Buildings or structures on the Property
The location of all garbage and/or garbage containers, the type of all garbage containers proposed, as well as the day of the week that garbage will be removed. Commercial-size garbage containers are not permitted unless the Licensing Officer, in their sole discretion, is satisfied that the site is appropriate for such containers.
Floor diagram of the short-term rental premises. Please note, that this drawing can be prepared by the owner/applicant. Each diagram should include the following:
The use of each room
The location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and early warning devices
The location of fire extinguishers and exits
The location of records of tests and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, early warning devices and fire extinguishers
The location of all gas and electric appliances
The location of all fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances
All entrances/exits to and from all Buildings
A copy of an electrical general inspection dated within 5 years of the date of application. Please note this must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor
A copy of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) inspection report issued by an HVAC technician within the last year
If applicable to your property:
If you have a wood burning appliance on the property, a copy of a wood energy technical transfer (WETT) report dated within 5 years of the date of application. Please note that this report must be issued by a certified WETT inspector
If you have a private septic system, a copy of a recent annual report from a licensed septic maintenance company that indicates the septic is in good working order
If you have a private septic system, a copy of record(s) of any in-year septic tank pump outs
If you have a private well or get your drinking water from another private drinking water system, provide a copy of the records of all water testing and test results from Niagara Region Public Health from within the last year. Please note these tests must be submitted to Niagara Region Public Health a minimum of three times per year going forward.
Statutory declaration, signed by all members of the Board of Directors of the corporation, stating each owner understands their responsibility as a Licensee
Incorporating documents
The most recent corporate filing with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services; please ensure the document contains a list of all directors and officers and the head office address of the corporation
A copy of the corporation's annual return under the Corporations Information Act R.O 1990.c C.39
Licence number on all rental listings and advertisements
Keep a register of renters and guests, including contact information and check-in/check-out dates
Keep a register of safety checks on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, etc.
Report on septic inspections, if one is present
Report on private well water quality results, if one is present
Application Tool-Kit
The following documents are meant to support applicants by providing sample templates, examples and suggestions for content in different aspects of the application.
The new by-law establishes clear rules for operating short-term rentals while balancing opportunities for tourism and property owners with neighbourhood safety and quality of life for residents.
A short-term rental is all or part of a dwelling unit (such as a house, cottage, mobile home, or park model trailer) that is rented for 28 days or less at a time, in exchange for payment.
Yes. Anyone renting or advertising a short-term rental must have a valid license from the City. Advertising or renting without a license is not allowed.
Applications are accepted from owners, or their delegates (agents). If a property is owned by a corporation, the directors and officers must authorize the application.
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.
Up to two renters per bedroom, with a maximum of 10 renters total.
You may host up to two additional renters under 16 years old.
Infants under 2 are not included in the count.
In Vacation Residential zones (i.e. Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores), occupancy is set by the property operator
One guest per bedroom, up to a maximum of five.
Guests are not allowed to remain overnight -- they must leave between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
In Vacation Residential zones (i.e. Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores), occupancy is set by the property operator
Renters are the people who pay to stay at the short-term rental and are booked to sleep there overnight. Guests are visitors who may come to the property but are not staying overnight. Guests must leave between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Yes, the license must be renewed annually.
Every licensed operator must keep a register with:
The property address and licence number.
Confirmation that smoke/CO alarms were checked regularly.
Names of all renters and guests, with check-in and check-out dates.
Licence plate numbers for all vehicles on the property.
Every licensed short-term rental must meet strict safety standards, including:
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas -- tested weekly and kept in working order.
Fire extinguishers (minimum 2A10BC) on each level, placed in visible, accessible spots (not locked in cupboards).
A Fire Safety Plan posted at the unit, with exit routes and emergency instructions clearly marked.
Emergency information (address, "call 9-1-1" instructions, Local Contact Person details) posted in a prominent place.
Electrical, HVAC, septic/well, and chimney inspections kept up to date, if applicable.
Parking, garbage storage, and site plan requirements followed exactly as approved in the licence.
These measures are required before a licence is issued and must be maintained at all times while operating.
An electrical inspection report is a review of your home's electrical wiring and/or devices to identify potential electrical hazards that could lead to a fire and/or shock. The report required by a licensed electrical contractor is to be dated less than 5 years old.
An HVAC inspection report is an assessment of your HVAC system to identify any concerns performed by a HVAC Technician. A HVAC inspection report will be require annually.
A WETT report is a Wood Energy Technical Transfer report dated less than 5 years old, issued by a certified WETT inspector.
Disclosed information will only be used to administer and enforce the STR licencing program. Your information will not be used for any other purpose.
Private Rentals within Vacation Residential Zones (i.e. Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores)
Yes.
Some of the requirements under the by-law exempt units within the Vacation Residential Zone (i.e. Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores). 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.
Yes.
Issues With Short-Term Rentals in my Neighbourhood
For emergencies call 9-1-1
For other serious concerns:
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies
Call 905-688-4111 for non-emergencies
To report a by-law infraction:
Call 905-835-2900 Monday-Friday between 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Yes, but only if you follow the City's Open Air Burning and Recreational Fires By-law. This means:
Fires must be kept small, controlled, and supervised at all times.
Only burn clean, dry wood.
Have water or an extinguisher nearby.
Be mindful of wind conditions and your neighbours.
Never leave a fire unattended.
If fire restrictions are in place (such as during dry weather), campfires are not allowed. Always check the City's rules before lighting a fire.
Consumer fireworks are permitted on approved dates (Victoria Day, Canada Day, July 4th). Fireworks handlers must be 18 years of age or older, respect safety precautions, and complete the show by 11 p.m. Please be respectful of your neighbours.
No, short-term rental accommodation renters or guests may not park on the street. Please park your car in the designated on-site parking for your rented unit.
