(Huntsville, ON) The Town of Huntsville would like to notify the community and real estate professionals that changes to the Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) By-law and Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law are being implemented. These changes represent efforts to improve the supply of long-term rental units and affordable housing, create a more connected community, and provide more oversight of short-term rentals.  

The STRA By-law regulates the short-term rentals in the area, and all STRA owners must hold an STRA license. The by-law and licensing process allow the Town to ensure STRAs are safe, meet the provisions of the Town’s Official Plan and CPP By-law, and includes a strike system for non-compliance. The changes to the STRA By-law, effective immediately, include: 

• STRA owners must own the property for a year prior to renting it out on a short-term basis. Property owners are permitted to use their property for personal use or for long-term rentals (30 days or longer) in the first year of ownership. 2025 STRA license holders who are within their first year of property ownership are exempt from this regulation.  
• A license cap of 250 STRA units in Huntsville has been implemented. The license cap of 250 units allows for incremental growth. In 2024, Huntsville approved 224 STRA licenses. Licenses will be issued on a first come, first served basis. 
• The number of non-compliance strikes permitted prior to revoking a license is increasing, but the Town is counting all strikes issues within a 2-year period instead. Previously, STRA license holders were able to retain their license if the total number of strikes (penalties) were no more than two strikes a year. Moving forward, the enforcement will extend to three strikes over two years. This is to discourage repeat offenders, as the short strike policy of one year has in some instances led to the same offences and strikes being issued annually.  

The Community Planning Permit By-law is being amended to no longer permit STRAs in the Urban Low Density Precinct (UR1). This change will come into effect in the near future.  All existing STRA uses within the UR1 zone may continue, even if the property changes ownership. However, if the property does not operate as a licensed STRA for more than two years, the exception will lapse and the STRA will no longer be permitted.  

Applying for a Short-Term Rental Accommodation License 

For existing STRA license holders, the license renewal application opens on November 1 annually. The renewal applications must be submitted no later than the first weekend of February. Licenses will be granted on a first come, first served basis. The application must be complete for it to be considered submitted. 

New STRA license applications may submit an application at any time. If the license cap has been reached, the property owner will need to wait until November 1 to apply. All STRA licenses expire on December 31 of the calendar year. If an STRA license application is rejected, the applicants are able to appeal the decision at the Appeals Committee. 

As a reminder, all STRA owners are required to collect Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT), and submit it through the online portal quarterly. The four per cent MAT applies only to accommodation revenue, not other incidental charges (ex: cleaning, security deposits or other taxes/fees). Funds collected through this program are used for tourism promotion and development, and programs, projects and initiatives that improve our resident’s quality of life.   

For more information, including the STRA License application requirements, please visit huntsville.ca. For additional questions, please contact STRA@huntsville.ca.  

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For more information, contact:  
Christopher Nagy
Chief Building Official/Manager of Building and By-law Services
STRA@Huntsville.ca