Short-term Rentals a Growing Concern in South Frontenac

Wilma Kenny | Feb 16, 2022

South Frontenac Council - February 8/22

The main focus of this meeting was on short-term rentals (STRs) in South Frontenac: on November 2nd, 2021 Council had received a delegation from Rick Ottenhof and Gabor Solymar regarding the challenges about Short-Term Rentals in the Township. These included noise, rudeness, property damage, nuisance parking, garbage, fires, careless boating, and various other concerns of neighbouring residents. On Nov 16, Council directed staff to prepare a report by or before March 31, with options for regulating the Short Term Rental industry in South Frontenac. CAO Carbone has had experience in designing Prince Edward County’s regulations for STRs.

Carbone’s report provided information about STRs in South Frontenac, explained the regulatory framework that applies to them, offered examples of other communities’ approaches, and discussed the sorts of mechanisms Council could employ. The report did not recommend any specific STR regulatory approach. Instead it provided general information from which to base next steps, and recommended a discussion paper be prepared, followed by community consultation beginning in late 2022 (subject to available resources), prior to development of any specific regulatory measures, possibly for the summer of 2023.

The report listed various options for regulation, some much more onerous and time-consuming than others. It warned that rushing regulation could have unintended consequences or actually be ineffective at dealing with the real issues, and recommended that careful identification of issues and targeted responses are the best ways to deal with problems. There are many stakeholders and interests, therefore community collaboration and buy-in is extremely important. Carbone warned that even a simple STR program takes time to develop; some steps are sequential, others can be done concurrently. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to STR regulation won’t work; every community is different; municipalities should be careful not to rush to enact regulations and associated programs that are more than what is necessary to meet their objectives.

Deputy Mayor Revill said he was concerned with a two-year delay, and wanted things to happen faster. Councillor McDougall asked about comparators; Carbone recommended that Council look for locations similar in size and general concerns as South Frontenac, eg rentals mostly on lakeshores, private lanes: “places with big geography outside settlement areas.”

Ruttan asked whether there were short-term steps which could be taken this summer: Carbone suggested giving existing by-laws, such as burn permits, ‘better teeth”, and perhaps partnering with neighbouring Townships and the County to increase public education.

Mayor Vandewal said he had received many phone calls already about STR issues, both pro and con, and many demands for public consultation: “People want to have a say: we don’t want to force something through that’s haphazard and which we can’t enforce; it’s not remotely realistic to ask for a program this summer.”

Claire Dodds, Director of Public Services, said regulation of STRs has become a province-wide issue, and ROMA is publishing a paper which may help provide comparators and examples of feasible approaches. She suggested that public consultations about STRs could be integrated into the Official Plan consultations this year.

Councillor McDougall suggested there was a role for the Lake Associations which will be meeting this summer. Councillor Morey cautioned, “We don’t want to try to start at 'step ten’: there’s a lot of work to do first.”

Vandewal said many of the comments he had received showed a fear of over-regulation; he had had to reassure several callers that the Township has no intent to ban short-term rentals. He asked staff to bring back a report outlining starting steps in moving forward.

Carbone’s complete 42-page report is available on the SF Township’s website in the notes to the meeting agenda for the COW of Feb 8/22.