Chamber News

Belleville City Council approved a new bylaw to license, regulate and govern the operation of short-term accommodation dwelling rentals in the City of Belleville during their March 28 meeting.

The new bylaw will require all operators renting rooms on a short-term basis (for a period of less than 30 consecutive days) to register with the City. All registered operations will be subject to the rules and regulations within the bylaw.

Operators who are currently renting units on a short-term basis, or planning to do so, must be registered by April 30. All new operators looking to begin renting units after the April 30 deadline will be able to register on an ongoing basis and must do so prior to renting their units.

Registered short-term rental operators will also need to start collecting and remitting the Municipal Accommodation Tax – a four per cent tax imposed on accommodation rentals fewer than 30 days which applies to hotels, motels, motor hotels, lodges, inns, resorts, bed and breakfasts, or other lodging including those sold online.

Additional information and registration details are available online.

“The goal of the Short-Term Accommodation Bylaw is to increase safety regulations and accountability,” said Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “We hope that by implementing this new program, we will be able to better monitor these operations for the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.”