October 2024
Disclaimer. This page is intended solely to assist you in understanding the regulations you may need to comply with. The information provided here is not exhaustive and may not reflect the most current legal standards. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws. For further guidance, please contact your local tax authorities or consult with a qualified legal or tax professional.
STR By-law No. 2021-104 enters into effect on April 1, 2022 and regulates the STR industry. This page intends to provide an overview of the regulations applicable to hosting activity in Ottawa. Please visit this page dedicated to short-term rentals on the Ottawa website.
Definition of Short-Term Rentals (STR)
According to STR By-law No. 2021-104 , a short-term rental (STR) means a transient accommodation in the whole or part of a residential unit for a period of less than 30 consecutive nights. It can be a bed and breakfast, a cottage rental or a “Dedicated STR” (as defined in the By-law).
It cannot be a rooming house or hotel, which are subject to their own specific regulations.
Applicable taxes
In March 2020, misterb&b registered to collect the Municipal Accommodation Tax in Ottawa, for any stays not exceeding 29 consecutive days. For more information, check our FAQ about sales/lodging tax collection in Canada.
You remain liable for registering for, collecting and paying any other taxes that may be applicable to your hosting activity.
Operating a STR
- Overnight Guest limit. The maximum limit for overnight Guests in a STR shall be two (2) persons per sleeping room.
- Sleeping room limit. The maximum number of sleeping rooms permitted in a STR is 4 rooms in a dwelling unit/mpbile home or 8 rooms in an oversize dwelling unit or in a dwelling unit that is legally non-conforming according to Section 34(9) of the Planning Act.
- Use restrictions. It is not allowed to operate a STR in an accessory building (as defined in the By-Law); an unlawful residential unit; community housing; or a building or unit where STR have been prohibited by the landlord, the condominium corporation or housing co-operative.
- Zoning restrictions. It is illegal to operate a STR in a zone or area where bed and breakfast use is prohibited under the Zoning By-law.
- Secondary residence. It is not allowed to operate a STR in a residential unit that is not a principal residence - with the exception of a cottage rental or a Dedicated STR.
Host permit
It is mandatory to obtain a host permit to legally operate a STR.
- Permit restriction. Any Host may obtain a Host permit for (i) only one STR in his principal residence, and/or (ii) one cottage rental.
- Application. You may find more information (including, the list of required documentation and the applicable fees) about Host permit applications on this official page. To make an appointment and provide the necessary documents and payment to apply, please call (613) 580-2424 (ext. 12735) or email str_lcd@ottawa.ca.
- Insurance. To obtain and maintain your Host permit, you must maintain insurance coverage for your STR activity. The limit of liability cannot be less than $1,000,000.00 (inclusive per occurrence for personal injury, bodily injury, death, and damage to property).
- Renewal. Do not forget to renew your Host permit within 30 days prior to expiration date.
Mandatory information in your Listing
You are required to include, in your misterb&b Listing, the serial number of your Host permit. You must add also the maximum overnight Guest limit.
In the absence of this information, misterb&b may unpublish your listing.
Hosting conditions
STR must also respect all State, provincial and municipal regulations about occupancy, nuisance, health and safety.
- Sleeping room standards. Any sleeping room must comply with the sleeping occupancy provisions established in the Property Standards By-law.
- Information package. You must give your Guests information about contact, instructions for use of emergency systems, name and address of the nearest 2 hospitals, and more. Please refer to Section 16 of STR By-law No. 2021-104 for a list of mandatory information.
- Fire safety. You must maintain a functioning smoke alarm and a functional ABC class fire extinguisher on each floor of the STR accessible to Guests.
- Monoxide alarm. You must maintain a functioning carbon monoxide alarm if your STR is equipped with one or more fireplaces or fuel burning appliances.
Data-sharing and privacy
Please note misterb&b is required by law to save and share with the Ottawa administration data about your rental transactions on a quarterly basis. It includes, without limitation, property address, numbers of nights booked and payout amounts.
By using misterb&b, you consent to the collection, retention, use and disclosure (in accordance with all legal obligations and processes) of your information.