SHORT TERM RENTALS
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
In North Frontenac, short-term rentals have become a rapidly expanding industry, operating out of residential properties along waterfronts and other areas not zoned for commercial use. Despite this growth, the sector largely remains off the municipality’s radar, except when neighbours file complaints about guest behaviour. This lack of visibility stems from the absence of regulatory oversight; the industry has expanded more quickly than the Township has been able to respond. Compounding the issue, neighbours are often hesitant to lodge complaints against nearby property owners.
The North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance takes the view that complaint volume is not an accurate measure of the true numbers and impact of short-term rentals (STRs) in the community.
There is a long-standing tradition of cottage owners occasionally renting their properties to friends and family to offset maintenance and tax expenses. However, this report highlights a significant shift in recent years: some owners have begun operating their cottages as full-time income-generating ventures, offering short-term rentals—often by the weekend or week—throughout the year.
Under this newer model, renters typically have no personal connection to the owner and are sourced through online platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Another emerging trend involves corporate buyers acquiring properties and constructing residential-style buildings that function essentially as small hotels. In many instances, neither the owner nor a representative is present during the rental period. In both scenarios, these activities amount to commercial use occurring on properties zoned for residential purposes, often in violation of existing regulations.
Many small rural municipalities have introduced bylaws to regulate short-term rentals, typically through licensing systems that include fees to fund the staffing needed for administration and enforcement. The Environmental Task Force notes that townships without such regulations, including North Frontenac, are increasingly attracting commercial short-term rental development.
It should be emphasized that increased numbers of STRs in North Frontenac are not necessarily an undesirable development - for years, it has been understood that North Frontenac lacks accommodation for visitors, and various solutions have been proposed in the past.
The influx of STRs is a private business response to a need. It simply needs to be regulated to avoid bad outcomes.
For further information, check out the link below.
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