Find your rental licence fee.
| 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 |
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
- Avoid fines
- 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)
- 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
- police record check
Police record check
You must include a police record check with all new applications, and 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 application or renewal
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)
Single or semi-detached, duplex, triplex and accessory apartment renewal fees
Find your renewal fee.
| 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 |