Kingston

Canada
Conditional
Last updated: 2026-10-10  ·  Last verified: 2026-10-16  ·  Region: International

At a Glance — Kingston Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusConditional
Permit / License RequiredYes. Any owner who is paid for all or part of a dwelling unit used for sleeping accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less needs a City of Kingston
Tax Rate5% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays of 30 days or less (raised from 4% effective 1 January 2024), charged on the accommodation fee only; 13% HST a
Minimum StayNone stated. The licence covers stays of 30 consecutive days or less.
Permit FeeOperator licence $203 (Fees and Charges By-law; subject to annual change by Council).
Penalties$250 penalty for operating without a licence, as reported from the licensing by-law. Other penalty amounts not confirmed.
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Kingston Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Kingston Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Kingston have a status of Conditional as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. Any owner who is paid for all or part of a dwelling unit used for sleeping accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less needs a City of Kingston STR licence (By-Law 2021-10).. The associated permit fees are Operator licence $203 (Fees and Charges By-law; subject to annual change by Council)..

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Kingston

Short-term rental operators in Kingston should be aware of these tax obligations: 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays of 30 days or less (raised from 4% effective 1 January 2024), charged on the accommodation fee only; 13% HST also applies to the MAT.. Yes. Operators must collect and remit the Municipal Accommodation Tax quarterly; the city says a licence is needed in order to remit MAT..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Kingston

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Kingston include: Minimum stay: None stated. The licence covers stays of 30 consecutive days or less..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Kingston

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Kingston: STRs are allowed in residential dwelling units, including single detached, semi-detached, row houses, secondary suites in a single detached dwelling, and units in multi-unit buildings..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Kingston

Hosts who fail to comply with Kingston's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. $250 penalty for operating without a licence, as reported from the licensing by-law. Other penalty amounts not confirmed..

Platform Obligations in Kingston

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Kingston: The by-law also covers brokerage platforms that handle bookings; specific platform duties not confirmed..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Conditional
License / Registration
Yes. Any owner who is paid for all or part of a dwelling unit used for sleeping accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less needs a City of Kingston STR licence (By-Law 2021-10).
Tax Registration
Yes. Operators must collect and remit the Municipal Accommodation Tax quarterly; the city says a licence is needed in order to remit MAT.
Permit Fee
Operator licence $203 (Fees and Charges By-law; subject to annual change by Council).
Tax Rate
5% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays of 30 days or less (raised from 4% effective 1 January 2024), charged on the accommodation fee only; 13% HST also applies to the MAT.
Zoning Restrictions
STRs are allowed in residential dwelling units, including single detached, semi-detached, row houses, secondary suites in a single detached dwelling, and units in multi-unit buildings.
Minimum Stay
None stated. The licence covers stays of 30 consecutive days or less.
Platform Obligations
The by-law also covers brokerage platforms that handle bookings; specific platform duties not confirmed.
Compliance Notes
Kingston requires every short-term rental operator to hold a city licence, applied for through MyKingston; review can take up to 20 days and the fee ($203) is paid after approval. Operators must collect a 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays of 30 days or less and remit it quarterly. From 1 January 2026 the Ontario Fire Code requires carbon monoxide alarms in all homes, including short-term rentals.
Effective Date
2021-06-01
Key Notes
City licence required for rentals of 30 days or less; 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax applies.
Penalties
$250 penalty for operating without a licence, as reported from the licensing by-law. Other penalty amounts not confirmed.
Additional Context
By-Law 2021-10 was passed 12 January 2021 and took effect 1 June 2021, amended by By-Laws 2022-109 and 2023-196 (consolidation updated 3 September 2024). City pages disagree on licence term: the licensing page says licences run to 31 March and are renewed annually, while the by-law allows terms of up to three years.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Kingston?

Short-term rental regulations in Kingston have a status of: Conditional. Kingston requires every short-term rental operator to hold a city licence, applied for through MyKingston; review can take up to 20 days and the fee ($203) is paid after approval. Operators must colle

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Kingston?

Yes. Kingston requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes. Any owner who is paid for all or part of a dwelling unit used for sleeping accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less needs a City of Kingston STR licence (By-Law 2021-10)..

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Kingston?

Short-term rental hosts in Kingston are subject to the following tax obligations: 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax on stays of 30 days or less (raised from 4% effective 1 January 2024), charged on the accommodation fee only; 13% HST also applies to the MAT..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Kingston?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Kingston may face enforcement. $250 penalty for operating without a licence, as reported from the licensing by-law. Other penalty amounts not confirmed..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Kingston?

City licence required for rentals of 30 days or less; 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax applies.

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