Get a short-term rental licence

If you rent out your home for 30 days or less, you need a short-term rental licence. This applies to rentals listed on Airbnb, VRBO or any other booking service.

Follow these steps to apply for your short-term rental licence.

On this page

  1. Check if you need a licence
  2. Find your licence class
  3. Prepare your documents
  4. Apply online or in person
  5. Pay licence fees
  6. Avoid fines
  7. Contact us

1. Check if you need a licence

You need a short-term rental licence if you rent your home for 30 days or less at a time, including rentals listed on Airbnb, VRBO or any other booking service.

You must also:

  • live in the rental unit (owner-occupied)
  • rent a unit that is one of the following:
    • single detached
    • duplex
    • townhouse
    • low-rise apartment building under 3 storeys with more than 4 units

You cannot operate a short-term rental if you do not live in the unit.

For rentals of more than 30 days, go to the long-term rental licence page.

Full details are in the Rental Housing Licensing Bylaw.

2. Find your licence class

Short-term rentals require a Class B licence, which includes:

  • maximum 4 bedrooms
  • maximum 30 days per stay
  • maximum 275 rental days per year

3. Prepare your documents

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.

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.

Find your rental licence fee. 

First time application rental licence fees
Type Number of bedrooms Fee
Class B 4 $509.78
Class B 3 $486.60
Class B 2 $463.43
Class B 1 $440.26

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

6. Avoid fines

If you don’t follow the rules, you may face:

  • $400 fine for the first offence
  • $800 fine for the second offence

Owners who don’t live in their short-term rental were required to stop operating by April 30, 2025.

Contact us

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