The Town of Huntsville is informing short-term rental owners they will be investigating non-compliant short-term rental properties this summer, which could result in fines where necessary.
On June 11th, Ontario transitioned into Step One of the government’s Roadmap to Reopen and Short Term Rental Accommodations (STRA) were allowed to open with specific restrictions.
“The (municipality) has By-laws to ensure the safe operation of rental properties in our area,” notes Christopher Nagy, Chief Building Official for Huntsville. “This includes making sure that the property has an adequately sized septic, that the property adheres to standards in the Ontario Building Code and that property owners are collecting and remitting the Municipal Accommodation Tax.”
In advance of the summer season, in accordance with Municipal By-law #2020-91, the Town of Huntsville will be actively investigating non-compliant Short Term Rental properties, which may lead to enforcement through fines or orders where necessary.
The Town reminds the community that it’s the responsibility of all STRA owners in Huntsville to ensure that they are registered and that their property remains compliant with the Code of Conduct (outlined as Appendix A in Municipal By-law #2020-91) and all other municipal bylaws. And further, that owners comply to the Town of Huntsville By-law #2019-123 stating that all Short Term Rental Accommodations must collect and remit monthly the Municipal Accommodation Tax as well as detail the number of accommodations sold, purchase prices and tax amount collected.
You are advised that as of July 1st, 2021, any non-licensed Short Term Rental properties that continue to advertise their listing will be deemed non-compliant, and an Administrative Penalty as outlined within the bylaw will be issued. In the event that a Provider is found contravening By-law #2019-123, and has not collected or remitted the Municipal Accommodation Tax, that owner would be guilty of an offence and could be liable for a penalty or fine as outlined in By-law-2019-123 Municipal Accommodation Tax, Collection and Remittance, S.13.
To ensure that your property is in compliance, to register your Short Term Rental Accommodation or to learn more about the Short Term Rental Accommodation program please visit Huntsville’s STRA webpage at Huntsville.ca for details.
To learn more about the Municipal Accommodation Tax please visit the Huntsville.ca bylaw page for details.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the operation of an STRA in your area, you are asked to reach out to the Building department directly at 705-789-1751 Ex. 2402.
