Short-term Rental Accommodations

To apply for an STRU license, create your account and begin your STRU Licensing Application.

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We require a Renters Code that is provided by the Town, or a document otherwise approved by the Town, including what is provided by a Short Term Rental Company, that sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Renter, including behavioural expectations as they relate to non-disturbance, which provides a warning related to the making of a Disturbance, and which identifies applicable Town by-laws that the Renter must comply with including the relevant provisions of this By-Law and the Renter's Code.

STRU’s need a minimum of one on-site parking space and one additional space for each two beds.

Example:

1 bed = 1 parking spaces required

2 beds = 2 parking spaces required

3 beds = 2 parking spaces required

4 beds = 3 parking spaces required

5 beds = 3 parking spaces required

6 beds = 4 parking spaces required

7 beds = 4 parking spaces required

8 beds = 5 parking spaces required

STRUs are permitted exclusively in an existing dwelling within a residential district where the STRU has been both established prior to and in operation on May 9, 2022. A STRU established within a dwelling following this date would not qualify for a licence because it does not comply with the zoning bylaw. In this situation, an application for site-specific zoning amendment is required. An STRU operating in a building or structure within a residential district other than a dwelling would not qualify for a licence.

A new or existing STRU is permitted within a single detached dwelling within the agricultural district; in a dwelling or dwelling unit in a combined use building in a commercial district; and, in a cabin located in a campground in Green Districts 1.2 and 1.5.

To determine if you STRU complies with the Zoning Bylaw, please submit an application.

The cost of the STRU application is $500 and the licence is valid for 1 year. You will also be required to have a Fire Inspection conducted every 3 years. The following flow chart illustrates the process for obtaining a licence. For questions regarding the process, please contact str@essex.ca.

A STRU licence is not required for a lodging house, residential care facility or group home or a dwelling unit in a hotel or motel.

Online: STR noise and parking concerns can be submitted anytime online using the Town of Essex Report a Problem system.

Phone: To report a STRU related concern including parking, noise, fire, and licensing infractions, please contact the 24/7 hotline to speak to a live agent at 1-833-377-9787

In case of emergencies, contact 911.

As per section 4.3 of By-Law 2468 Licences issued pursuant to this By-Law are immediately considered to be expired when a change in the Owner of the Short Term Rental Unit occurs. However, section 2.2 of By-Law 2468 provides that any transfer or assignment of an STRU Licence will need written consent of the Town Licensing Administrator. Having a property that is conforming to the STRU Zoning By-Law 2150 will aid in the transfer however, the Licence for the STRU property will need to be in good standing with the Town.

Support

At the top of the page, you will find the following menu options:

• Support: Access Cloudpermit tutorials or submit a ticket for specialized assistance.
• Messages: Send a message to the Town of Essex regarding specific application questions.

Pre-Consultation

When you have completed your pre-consultation, click the ‘Request Pre-Consultation’ button at the top right corner of your page. This button will only become active when all required information and attachments are complete.

*If the ‘Request Pre-Consultation’ is not active, you may be missing information. Any missing information or missing attachments will be noted.

Attachments

A red line next to an attachment indicates that the attachment is missing. As you add your attachments, you will have the option to specify the type of attachment you are uploading (e.g., listing, receipts, etc). Please note you can select more then one attachment type for each document.