The Independent

It appears Plympton-Wyoming residents who operate an Airbnb in their home will still have to register and pay a fee under the town’s proposed Short Term Rental rules. 

The town has been trying for two years to create a licensing system for the 66 units rented out, primarily along the shores of Lake Huron. 

The move came after neighbours complained companies were buying up homes and renting them out to people who had loud parties and crammed the streets of their communities with cars.

Council recently turned down a complex bylaw which they feared went too far, particularly for owner/operator Air BnBs. 

Councillors instructed staff to come back with a simpler licensing system. 

Monday, council got its first look at it.

The proposed rules would include pre-existing short term rentals or owner occupied rentals. There will be no rental of trailers, community housing, or boats as short term rentals. Owners will require proof of $2 million in insurance, and must be available by phone within 30 minutes. The one-year license was proposed to cost $400.

The fee is meant to cover staff time and the cost of an answering service for complaints.

The companies which own homes specifically for short term rentals would still have to follow the town’s existing bylaws on parking and clean yards, staff said.

But Councillor Bob Woolvett objected saying owner-occupied rentals were supposed to be exempt from fees.

Councillor Alex Boughen agreed. Saying that would be his preference. But if not, the owner-operators should get a break on the cost of the license.

“So if you’re a home investment property operator short term rental, $400 and then if you’re owner-occupied, you live there, it’s your principal presence, whatever that definition is, then you’d be paying for the staff time. So it’ll be a lower fee,” he said.

“I think they should register so we know who they are,” says Councillor Mike Vasey.  “The owner-operator, we’ve never had a problem with any of them, so no fee, if possible.”

Councillor Kristen Rodrigues was not in favour of giving owner-operators a pass on the fees, But she said she’d agree to a reduced fee. 

Administration will take another look at the suggestions of council and come back with a revised licensing scheme in the new year.