Rules & Changes · Ontario
Short-term rental rules in The Blue Mountains, Ontario
The Blue Mountains requires a licence for rentals under 30 days and has paused new Type B licences. A 4% accommodation tax applies, and the town's by-law review was still open at the last update we found.
The rules today
| Who can host | Type A, B and C licensees must be the registered owner. B&B (Type D) needs proof of primary residency per Town page. Must designate a Responsible Person. Source |
|---|---|
| Where it is allowed | Type A applies inside a zoning 'Exception Area'; Type B outside it, but the Town page says a moratorium is in place on new Type B licences (only previously licensed properties renew). Type C is for legal non-conforming units. Town page says STA use is permitted where property is in an RR zone per its STA zone map; exception area boundary not confirmed. Check zoning for your property with the Town. Source |
| Limits | Types A/B: max occupancy 2 persons per bedroom plus 4 additional persons (Type B also capped by zoning), and may be reduced for parking or fire reasons; Type C occupancy set by Town's legal non-conforming review. Parking Management Plan must be followed. Rental is for under 30 consecutive days. AMP table also bars outdoor hot tub/pool use 2300-0700. Source |
| Licence process | Step 1 pre-screening / planning clearance, then full application (deed, Responsible Person form, floor/site/parking plans, insurance, fire inspection) via Cloud Permit (since 2026-04-20). Types A/B/C valid 24 months. Licence must be displayed near the property entrance and inside; Town page says licence number must appear in advertising. Source |
| Fees | The Town's licensing page lists $2,500 for Type A and Type B and $2,560 for Type C, each for a 24-month term, plus pre-screening, application and inspection fees. We could not confirm these amounts against the fee by-law, so check the Town page before applying. Source |
| Taxes | 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays under 30 days, effective 2025-01-06; short-term rental providers must register. Page undated. Source |
| Penalties | AMP By-law 2021-71 (consolidation through 2023-40): operate without licence $2,500; advertise without licence $500; exceed occupancy $500; Responsible Person unavailable $500; fail to post licence $500; parking plan breach $500; nuisance $250. Licensing by-law also allows court fines up to $50,000 first / $100,000 later offences. Source |
What changed in The Blue Mountains
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Review of by-laws 2021-70 and 2021-71 ongoing via working group (demerits, AMPs, Responsible Person); expected at Committee of the Whole Fall 2025; no outcome posted
What hosts should do: Confirm current rules with by-law office (519-599-3131) before relying on penalties/demerits.
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By-law 2025-13 replaced Licensing Appeals Committee with Licensing Appeals Officer
What hosts should do: None.
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Moratorium on new Type B licences
What hosts should do: New STAs outside Exception Area generally cannot be licensed.
Sources
- Licensing By-law 2021-70 (2023 posted version) (page updated Enacted 2021-08-23)
- Amending By-law 2025-13 (appeals officer only) (page updated Enacted 2025-03-10)
- AMP By-law 2021-71 consolidation (page updated office consolidation incl. 2022-50, 2023-40)
- Town STA licensing page (page updated no date shown; Cloud Permit change 2026-04-20)
- STA By-law Review page (page updated latest update 2025-07-25)
- Municipal Accommodation Tax page (page updated no date shown)
General information for hosts, not legal or tax advice. This page summarises the official sources above as of November 12, 2026. Check the source and your town before you act. See an error? Tell us and we will re-check it.
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