Council Summary January 20, 2025

Posted On Monday January 20, 2025

** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday’s council meeting. The council meeting webcast is available on the City of Waterloo YouTube page. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

Short-term rental operations to be limited to an owner’s principal residence

As part of their review of the City’s rental licensing regulations, Municipal Enforcement Services staff provided an update on options for Short-Term Rental Licensing. Short-term rentals (a temporary accommodation for the travelling public such as those offered through an online platform such as Airbnb or Vrbo) support increased tourism, and provide supplemental income for property owners, but may also present challenges such as reduced long-term housing availability, potential disruptions to residential neighbourhoods, and gaps in tenant protections. 

Council approved amendments to enhance the Residential Rental Licensing By-law, which will only allow for the operation of a short-term rental in an owner’s principal residence in low-rise rental properties regulated by the by-law. This amendment is an interim measure that will allow staff to gather critical data on the benefits of Short-Term Rental enforcement until a more comprehensive solution can be analyzed and presented to Council as part of the City’s broader rental licensing review.

Additional community benefits of limiting short-term rentals to an owner’s principal residence include:

  • An estimated 100 units available to be converted to long-term rentals or returned to the overall housing stock.
  • Short-term rental operators will reside on-site, with the goal of more responsive maintenance and pride of ownership.
  • Short-term rentals can no longer be operated as large businesses, but can still provide additional income opportunities for individuals who would like to rent a portion of their home on a temporary basis.

The changes to the bylaw will also allow the City to qualify and apply for the Federal Government's Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund (STREF) grant, enabling Municipal Enforcement Services to advance these regulations sooner and with enhanced enforcement capabilities. If the City is unsuccessful in the grant application, staff will manage the resource impacts within the current licensing program to ensure adequate resources are available.  


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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca