Short Term Rental Licensing

On this page:

• Licensing process
• After you apply
• Appeal process
• Reporting concerns
• Short term rental accommodation license status
• Resources

The Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) program was initiated by the Town to ensure all rentals operate safely and in accordance with the Fire Protection Standards and the Ontario Building Code. Residents and property owners who wish to rent out rooms or entire units for a period of 30 days or less, are required to obtain a license.

Any STRA providers offering rentals of less than 30 days are required to charge and collect Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). For more information on the MAT, please visit the Municipal Accommodation Tax page.

New applications

As of March 2023, the Town of Huntsville is accepting all STRA applications through our Cloudpermit software. The How to submit a new application video provides information on the process, including how you can upload documents and submit your application. Please note, the video refers to building permits; however, the process is similar for STRA applications.

New application submissions opens January 1st for any of the remaining 250 licenses and must be fully completed including the onsite inspection by October 31st to be issued a license for 2026 if any of the total 250 licenses being issued for 2026 are available.

The 2026 fees for new applications are set at $750 for principal residence and $1000 for secondary residence. New applications have an average of 6 weeks to be issued.

Renewal applications

Renewal fees for 2026 are set at $375 for principal residence and $750 for secondary residence.

All licenses expire on December 31st of the year issued and cannot be assigned or transferred from the Licensee to another party. Applications for renewals can be submitted starting November 1st and must be submitted to the town no later than December 31st to be guaranteed one of the 250 available licenses.

For renewal applications being submitted after Dec 31 but before the cut-off date of the first full weekend in February, the application is put in queue with all new applications to obtain any of the remaining total of the 250 license limit.   

 The How to submit a Renewal application video will guide you step by step on with the renewal application. Please contact the Town of Huntsville STRA staff with any questions.

License review/issuance

Once the application has been submitted, staff will review the information provided, in consideration of Municipal and Provincial regulations to confirm compliance. Should the application be missing information or not conform to a regulation or by-law, the applicant will be advised via email. Applicants will be given the opportunity to update the application or provide any missing documentation and resubmit.

If the application is found to be in compliance, the applicant will be advised that a site inspection is required and must be arranged with the Department.

If a license must be denied, the applicant will also be advised, with the reasons for denial.

Site inspection

Upon completion of the application, the applicant will need to arrange a site visit with the STRA department. An inspector will attend the site at an arranged date and time to verify conformity of the unit with the submitted documents.

Items that will be verified during the site inspection include:

• Number of bedrooms and sleeping areas
• Fire safety equipment (fire extinguishers and smoke alarms)
• Waste disposal
• Parking locations
• Exiting requirements
• General upkeep and state of the building

Appeal process

Where the municipality has denied a license, a renewal of a license, or has suspended or revoked a license, the applicant shall be notified; setting forth the reasoning for the decision and provide information regarding the right to appeal to the Licensing Committee.

An applicant/licensee will have 14 days from issuance of the notice to file an appeal with the Municipal Clerk.

A Licensing Committee hearing will be arranged through the Clerks Office and will provide the opportunity for staff and the applicant/licensee to speak to the matter.

All decisions of the Licensing Committee shall be final and no decision shall be reheard.

Written notice shall be provided to the applicant/licensee within 14 days of the Committee's decision.