Meaford is looking to hear from residents on short term accommodations (STA) through a survey, after council received a report on their presence in the municipality.
Council reviewed a report on STAs in Meaford during a meeting Monday.
It says as of late May, there are 154 active STA listings across the Municipality of Meaford. The cost of the units change depending on demand, with the average listing price for an STA per night in the municipality, in the same time frame, costing $402. In July, however, this jumped to $465 per night.
The report adds a number of Grey County municipalities have also looked at STA licensing as well, with Owen Sound adopting a by-law this year. Grey Highlands and the Town of the Blue Mountains have both implemented licensing, and Georgian Bluffs is currently considering it. West Grey, Hanover, Chatsworth, and Southgate do not have anything in place and are not currently considering licensing.
Licensing by-laws can vary between municipalities from restricting short-term rentals to only permitting them in primary residences, or restricting them to geographic areas.
“Municipalities across Ontario have struggled with public safety and social pressures associated with STA properties, and many have implemented licensing by-laws to balance economic activity with public health and safety,” says the report.
Staff have been directed to gather background information needed to craft an STA licensing by-law to address any negative impacts. Some practices identified include requiring pre-approval inspections for all STA licenses, maintaining an STA registry, and imposing guest occupancy caps for STA units.
Interim CAO Matt Smith says they have reached out to STA rental companies including Airbnb.
“I think it is really important that we don’t just believe this is Airbnb, there are many different platforms here that people are using,” says Smith. “Things like Airbnb are very keen to contribute to what a licensing by-law might look like, that’s the next step beyond this.”
Residents can voice their thoughts on STAs in an online survey here until Nov. 5, with hard copies also available at the Administration Office. Additionally, four in-person discussion sessions will be held on Oct. 24 at Meaford Hall, more details can be found on the municipal website here.