Short-term rental accommodations in Bracebridge operating without a license could soon be hit with a $500 fine.
Town of Bracebridge council committee approved several amendments to its short-term rental accommodation (STRA) bylaw to strengthen enforcement.
During the Nov. 3 general committee meeting, a report presented by Allison Kreuger, Manager of By-law Enforcement, indicated that the town has received 145 license applications, of which 52 are active.
Kreuger said Airbnb currently displays approximately 303 listings in the Bracebridge area, while VRBO shows approximately 100. She said some properties may be advertised on both platforms, resulting in duplicate listings.
Kreuger said several minor amendments are needed to strengthen and improve enforcement of the bylaw. One of the amendments is the introduction of an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) as an enforcement tool.
The report states that this tool will allow the town to impose financial penalties on individuals who contravene or fail to comply with the municipal by-law. It will also mark the first time the town uses administrative penalties as an enforcement tool for a bylaw.
According to the amended bylaw, anyone who contravenes a provision of the bylaw will face a financial penalty of $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second offence and $1,500 for a third offence.
Another amendment is a provision to prohibit marketing of an STRA without a valid licence. Kreuger said by establishing this as a standalone provision, officers will have a clear enforcement mechanism to address advertisements for unlicensed STRAs.
The report also proposes to increase the required public or general liability insurance coverage for short-term rental accommodations from $2 million to $5 million. It would also require the Town to be named as an additional insured and receive 30 days’ written notice of any policy cancellation.
Kreuger said the amendments would also require applicants to provide proof of ownership or authorization to use any shore road allowance abutting their property, along with meeting other requirements.
After a lengthy discussion, council approved the adjustments and supported the penalty enforcement tool.
As a result, Kreuger said the demerit point schedule associated with specific by-law infractions has been updated to include administrative penalties.
