This example shows the level of detail we expect for floor plans, including room labels, measurements and windows.
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
- 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 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 package (PDF). This application package includes all required forms.
Include copies of these documents with your application:
- 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
- owner-occupied bedrooms labelled “owner occupied”
- Parking plan – must include measurements of garages, driveways and other parking areas
This example shows how to label parking stalls, driveways, and snow storage areas, including measurements.
These documents must be dated within the past 12 months:
- 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)
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)