| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Class A |
The property owner does not live in the unit. It includes:
This is the most common licence class. |
| Class B |
The property owner lives in the unit. It includes:
If you renting out for 30 days or less, visit the Get a short-term rental licence page for more information. |
| Class C |
Class C is for large rental units that operate as boarding or lodging houses. It includes:
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. |
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.
New rental licensing requirements start July 1
Review this page to make sure you have the right documents and information before you apply.
On this page:
- Check if you need a licence
- Find your licence class
- Prepare your documents
- Apply online or in person
- Pay licence fees
- Contact us
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.
Rental units in apartment buildings do not need a long-term rental licence. All other rental units do.
An apartment building:
- is a residential building with 3 or more stories
- contains 5 or more units
- each unit has access to a shared interior hallway
- units enter and exit through a shared ground-floor entrance
For rentals of 30 days or less, go to the short-term rental licence page.
Find full details in the Rental Housing Licensing Bylaw.
2. Find your licence class
Choose the licence class that matches your long-term rental.
For short-term rentals of 30 days or less, like AirBnB, go to the short-term rental licence page.
3. Prepare your documents
Review the table to find the documents required for your licence class and situation.
The highlighted rows include new or updated requirements that took effect on July 1, 2026.
| Document | Who needs it | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Rental housing licence application - Form A (PDF) | All applicants |
Complete all owner and applicant information. Include corporate information, if applicable. |
| Proof of ownership | All applicants |
Include transfer or deed of land (long form) normally received at the time of purchase. Available through the Ontario Land Registry Office. |
|
Update Government-issued ID |
All applicants |
Copy of government-issued ID showing the name and address for:
|
| Owner authorization - Form B (PDF) | If the applicant is not the owner | Must be dated within the past 12 months. |
| Corporate ownership documents | If the owner is a corporation or partnership |
Must be dated within the past 12 months. Include Articles of Incorporation, if the corporation was created within the past 12 months. Include Corporate Profile Report, if the corporation was created more than 12 months ago. |
|
Update Certificate of Insurance - Form C (PDF)
|
All applicants |
For new applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026. For licence renewals due on August 31, 2026, November 30, 2026, or March 31, 2027. |
| Electrical system inspection - Form D (PDF) | All applicants |
Must be dated within the past 12 months. Must be completed by a licensed electrician. |
|
Update Gas or oil heating appliance inspection - Form E (PDF) OR Declaration of no gas or oil-fueled appliances - Form F (PDF) |
All applicants |
Must be dated within the last 12 months. For new applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026, and every other year after that. For licence renewals due on August 31, 2026, November 30, 2026, or March 31, 2027 and every other year after that. |
| Floor plan | All applicants |
Floor plan must include:
|
| Parking plan | All applicants |
Parking plan must include measurements of garages, driveways and other parking areas. |
|
Update Criminal record check |
Class B (owner-occupied units) |
Required for new applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026. Required for:
Get a criminal record check from a Canadian police service or through the Sterling Backcheck online service. |
4. Apply online or in person
Apply using our online application. Pay with a credit card.
Apply for a rental licence online
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)
5. Pay licence fees
Fees depend on the type of rental unit.
| Type | Number of bedrooms | New application fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | 5 bedroom | $675.00 | $450.00 |
| Class A | 4 bedroom | $605.00 | $393.00 |
| Class A | 3 bedroom | $569.00 | $357.00 |
| Class A | 2 bedroom | $545.00 | $327.00 |
| Class A | 1 bedroom | $520.00 | $302.00 |
| Class B | 5 bedroom | $600.00 | $350.00 |
| Class B | 4 bedroom | $533.00 | $311.00 |
| Class B | 3 bedroom | $509.00 | $298.00 |
| Class B | 2 bedroom | $484.00 | $284.00 |
| Class B | 1 bedroom | $460.00 | $264.00 |
| Class C | 1+ | $786.00 | $425.00 |
| Class D | 1+ | $726.00 | $411.00 |
| Class S | 5 bedroom | $675.00 | $450.00 |
| Class S | 4 bedroom | $605.00 | $400.00 |
| Class S | 3 bedroom | $570.00 | $360.00 |
| Class S | 2 bedroom | $545.00 | $330.00 |
| Class S | 1 bedroom | 520.00 | $305.00 |