| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | HST (13%); Ottawa Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) of 4% on stays of less than 30 days, collected by platforms |
| Night / Day Cap | No hard annual day cap, but primary-residence requirement effectively limits full-time non-resident STRs |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay specified; regulation targets short stays (under 30 days) |
| Permit Fee | STR operator licence: CAD $113.38/year (2024 fee schedule). Platform licence: CAD $6,370/year for platforms with 250+ listings. Renewal fees apply ann |
| Penalties | Fines up to CAD $100,000 for corporations and CAD $50,000 for individuals per violation under the Municipal Act. Licence suspension or revocation poss |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Must comply with Ontario Fire Code and property standards; no explicit STR-specific occupancy cap in bylaw beyond code requirements |
Short-term rentals in Ottawa, Ontario are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are STR operator licence: CAD $113.38/year (2024 fee schedule). Platform licence: CAD $6,370/year for pl.
Short-term rental operators in Ottawa should be aware of these tax obligations: HST (13%); Ottawa Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) of 4% on stays of less than 30 days, collected by platforms.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Ottawa include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Rental day cap: No hard annual day cap, but primary-residence requirement effectively limits full-time non-resident STRs. Occupancy limit: Must comply with Ontario Fire Code and property standards; no explicit STR-specific occupancy cap in bylaw beyond code r. Minimum stay: No minimum stay specified; regulation targets short stays (under 30 days).
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Ottawa: STRs permitted only in operator's principal residence (owned or rented). Entire secondary properties, investment properties, and non-principal residences cannot be listed as STRs. Zoning By-law 2008-2. Density rules: Implicit density control via principal-residence-only rule; no explicit per-block quota. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated in bylaw text; recommended.
Hosts who fail to comply with Ottawa's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to CAD $100,000 for corporations and CAD $50,000 for individuals per violation under the Municipal Act. Licence suspension or revocation possible..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Ottawa: Licensed platforms must: verify operator licences, remove unlicensed listings, collect and remit 4% MAT, provide quarterly data reports to the city.
Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Ottawa but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Ottawa's STR By-law (No. 2021-322) came into force August 2022. Only principal residences may be rented short-term. Operators must display licence number on all listings. Platforms must be licensed an
Yes. Ottawa requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Ottawa are subject to the following tax obligations: HST (13%); Ottawa Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) of 4% on stays of less than 30 days, collected by platforms.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Ottawa may face enforcement. Fines up to CAD $100,000 for corporations and CAD $50,000 for individuals per violation under the Municipal Act. Licence suspension or revocation possible..
Ottawa's principal-residence requirement is strictly enforced. The city actively audits platforms and pursues unlicensed operators. This is one of the more restrictive frameworks among Canadian capital cities.
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