Get a long-term rental licence

If you rent out a residential unit in Waterloo on a lease, you need a long-term rental licence. This applies to low-rise buildings under 3 storeys.

Follow these steps to apply for your rental licence.

On this page

1. Check if you need a licence

You need a long-term rental licence if you rent out a unit for more than 30 days at a time, including:

For rentals of 30 days or less, go to the short-term rental licence page.

Choose the licence class that matches your long-term rental. For short-term rentals (Class B), go to the short-term rental licence page.

Long-term licence rental licence classes
Class	Description
Class A	This is the most common licence class. It includes: single-detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex and townhouse units secondary and basement units units with 4 or fewer bedrooms The property owner does not live in the unit.
Class C	Class C is for large rental units that operate as boarding or lodging houses. It includes: units with 5 or more bedrooms units that share a kitchen or bathroom These units must meet fire and building code rules.
Class D	Class D is for recognized lodging houses that were previously licensed under older regulations. These licences only apply to properties already approved for this use, and cannot be renewed if they lapse.
Class Z	Class Z is for units in low-rise buildings that do not meet the full definition of an apartment building. It includes: buildings with 4 or more separate dwelling units units arranged side by side on the same level (horizontally separated)

Download and complete the rental housing licence application (PDF). This application includes all the forms you need.

Some forms must be signed by qualified professionals:

electrical system inspection – must be completed and signed by a licensed electrician
gas or oil heating appliance inspection – must be completed and signed by a licensed contractor

When you apply, you will also need to provide:

proof of ownership (transfer or deed)
corporate ownership documents:
- articles of incorporation if they were created within the past year
- corporate profile report if your corporation is older than 1 year (the report must be dated within the past year)
police record check
floor plans for each level, including basements, that show measurements and labels for all rooms, hallways, common spaces and windows
parking plan that show garages, driveways and other parking areas

You must include a police record check with your renewal every 5 years:

required for each property owner and applicant (if not an owner)
required for all directors and officers if the property is owned by a corporation, plus shareholders with more than 30% ownership
must be dated within 12 months of your renewal application

Get a police record check through Sterling Backcheck online service or your local police service.

Apply using our online application. Pay with a credit card.

You can also apply in person:

bring all your documents to the Municipal Enforcement counter, first floor of City Hall
pay with cash, debit, credit, cheque or money order (payable to City of Waterloo)

Fees depend on the type of rental unit.

Use the table to find your rental licence fee. If you’re not sure which class your rental falls under, check rental licence classes.

Use the table to find your renewal fee.

Townhouse rental licence annual renewal fees
Townhouse blocks (by number of units)	1 bedroom	2 bedroom	3 bedroom	4 bedroom
4 to 10	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36
11 to 20	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36
21 to 30	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36
31 to 40	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36
40 to 50	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36
50 +	$463.43	$463.43	$486.60	$521.36

Call 519-747-8785 or email rental@waterloo.ca with any questions.