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.

Apartment buildings do not need a rental licence in the City of Waterloo.

An apartment building is a building that:

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	The property owner does not live in the unit. It includes: single-detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex and townhouse units secondary and basement units units with 4 or fewer bedrooms This is the most common licence class.
Class B	The property owner lives in the unit. It includes: single-detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex and townhouse units secondary and basement units units with 4 or fewer bedrooms
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 rental units that were previously licensed as Class D1 (6 or more people) or Class D2 (4 or 5 people), or Class Z licences. These licences only apply to properties already approved for this use, and cannot be renewed if they lapse.

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

Rental housing licence – new application form A (PDF):
- complete all owner and applicant information
- include corporate information, if applicable
Proof of ownership – transfer or deed of land (long form):
- normally received at the time of purchase
- available through the Ontario Land Registry Office
Floor plans – must include:
- all levels of the rental unit, clearly labelled
- all rooms, hallways and common spaces, with measurements and labelled by use
- windows
- a bedroom count that matches the licence class
- for class B licences, owner-occupied bedrooms labelled “owner occupied”
Parking plan – must include measurements of garages, driveways and other parking areas

This example shows the level of detail we expect for floor plans, including room labels, measurements and windows.

This example shows how to label parking stalls, driveways, and snow storage areas, including measurements.

Corporate ownership (if the owner is a corporation):
- Articles of Incorporation, if the corporation was created within the past 12 months
- Corporate Profile Report, if the corporation was created more than 12 months ago
Criminal record checks
- required for each owner and applicant
- required for all directors and officers, and shareholders with more than 30% ownership, if the owner is a corporation
- get a criminal record check through Sterling Backcheck online service or your local police service
Owner authorization form (PDF), if the applicant is not the owner
Insurance declaration form (PDF)
Electrical system inspection form (PDF), completed by a licensed electrician
Gas or oil heating appliance inspection form (PDF), completed by a licensed gas fitter, OR Declaration of no gas or oil-fueled appliances form (PDF)

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.

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