Short Term Rental Accommodations

See the Who to Call List in PDF format.

• Certificate of Insurance
• Floor Plan
• Site Diagram
• Signed Licensee Code of Conduct and Acknowledgement
• Articles of Incorporation or other incorporating documents (if property owned by a corporation)
• Wood Energy Technical Transfer Report dated less than 5 years old (if there are any wood burning appliances)
• Proof of septic system pump-out dated less than 5 years old (if applicable)

Does the Municipal Accommodation Tax apply to STRA operators?

Yes, the 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax applies to all STRA operators. For more information regarding the Municipal Accommodation Tax, please review the Accommodators FAQ page or contact OrilliaMAT@orillialakecountry.ca.

Do I need a licence to operate a bed and breakfast establishment (B & B)?

No, a licence is not required to operate a B & B, provided the B & B complies in all respects with the City’s Zoning By-law 2014-44, as amended. The Zoning By-law defines a B & B as follows: “means Premises where sleeping accommodation (including breakfast and other meals, services, facilities and amenities for the exclusive use of guests) are provided for the traveling or vacationing Public within a Single Detached Dwelling that is the principal residence of the proprietor of the establishment.” A B & B is permitted in the Residential One (R1), Residential Two (R2), and Residential Three (R3) zones, Neighbourhood Commercial 2 (C2), Downtown Shoulder One (DS1) and Downtown Shoulder Two (DS2) zones, Health Care Two (HC2), and the Rural (RU) zone. There are also these additional requirements in section 5.4 of the Zoning By-law:

“5.4    BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT

Bed and Breakfast Establishments are subject to the following regulations:

a)       The Bed and Breakfast Establishment shall have the operator residing on the Premises; and

b)       A Bed and Breakfast Establishment shall only be permitted in a Single Detached Dwelling and shall not contain more than three (3) rooms for hire; and

c)       The Bed and Breakfast Establishment shall be a secondary Use to the main Residential Use of a Single Detached Dwelling and shall maintain the residential character of the Dwelling; and

d)       No external display or advertising shall be permitted on the site, other than in accordance with the Home Occupation provisions of the City of Orillia Sign By-law, as amended, or its successor; and

e)       Bed and Breakfast Establishments must front on a Public Road and be fully serviced by a Municipal Sewer System and a Municipal Water System.”

The Parking Requirements for a Bed & Breakfast Establishment are 1 Parking Space per Suite in addition to the standard residential requirement.

How can I find out if the accessory dwelling unit (i.e. apartment) I rent out is legal?

Yes, however, proof of a septic system pump-out dated less than five years old (and proof of any required repairs to the system identified during the pump-out) will be required to be submitted at time of licence application. The maximum number of persons permitted on any premises that is serviced by a septic system will be determined at the time of application following a review of the septic system’s approved design capacity.

I have a single detached dwelling on my property, and an additional dwelling unit that is within a separate/detached accessory building on my property. Can I operate a STRA in the single detached dwelling, and another STRA in the additional dwelling unit in the separate/detached accessory building?

No. A STRA is not permitted to be operate out of more than one building with bedrooms per property.