STRU Licensing Deadline Approaching

The Deadline for Short-Term Rental Units (STRU) licensing application in the Town of Essex is quickly approaching. All persons seeking to operate a STRU in the Town of Essex must obtain a licence to operate within the jurisdiction by December 31, 2022. STRUs must also be located in a district, and within a building, where STRUs are permitted under the Zoning Bylaw.

To apply for an STRU license, visit www.essex.ca/STRS to access the online STRU Licensing Application by December 31, 2022. As a reminder, only those STRUs located in a residential district operating on or before May 9, 2022 are eligible for a licence. New and existing STRUs are permitted to operate with a licence in commercial, agricultural and select green districts.

Information on STRUs regulations, the licensing process, enforcement and more, can be found at www.essex.ca/STRS. Questions and comments on the licensing system can also be submitted to str@essex.ca. Individuals who wish to be added to the STRU mailing list to be informed of future notifications are encouraged to contact str@essex.ca.

Background:

Short-Term Rental Units (STRU) provide an important and unique service to the local tourism economy by providing an alternate form of accommodation options for vacation goers. On September 1, 2022, the Town of Essex implemented a system of zoning regulations and licensing to ensure STRU operators are complying with municipal bylaws, and that the character of neighbourhoods is maintained.