The Short-Term Rental Licensing Bylaw licenses and regulates short-term rental properties in Kingston. The Bylaw is intended to provide a safe and healthy variety of accommodation options to support Kingston’s tourist industry while allowing residents to use their properties to earn additional income to offset their housing costs. Short-term rental regulations help protect the community’s existing inventory of long-term rental housing, and aid in responding to health, safety and nuisance concerns related to excessive noise, garbage, parking and security issues.

Operators are required to license their short-term rental. Licenses are valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.

• Apply for a new license
• Renew an existing license

The license fee is payable once your license is approved for issuance. Operators will be notified when their license is ready. Fees can be viewed in the Fees & Charges Bylaw.

New License Applications

Apply for your Short-term Rental License by following the steps outlined below. Your license is valid for 1 year.

Step 1 – Gather Supporting Documentation

The following info will be required to submit your application. Ensure you have the required documentation before starting the process.

• Applicant Identification (one of the following):
  • Valid Government Identification Card
  • Ontario Driver’s Licence
  • Passport
  • Ontario Photo Identification Card
• Proof of Property Ownership (one of the following):
  • Proof of Title
  • Property Tax Bill
  • MPAC Assessment
  • Utilities Invoice
• Letter from the Property Owner: giving permission for the Dwelling Unit to be used as a Short-term Rental (if the applicant is the Authorized Agent representing the Property Owner).
• Letter from the Multiple Unit Dwelling Owners: giving permission for the Dwelling Unit to be used as a Short-term Rental, where applicable
• Articles of Incorporation: that includes names of members that consist of the Board of Directors, Chief Administrative Officer and/or Executive Directors where applicable under business ownership structure.

Step 2 - Submit Application

Sign up/log in to MyKingston to complete your application online and ensure we can fulfill your request effectively. Require an alternate format? You can Contact Us.

Apply for a License

The Licensing Department will review your completed application package and begin the circulation process.

Step 3 - Application Reviewed

The application will be reviewed by the following:

• Licensing Agent
• City Planning Department
• City Building Services
• Kingston Fire and Rescue
• Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Public Health
• Property Standards Division
• Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

These agencies may contact the applicant directly if additional information is required.

Step 4 - Application Outcome

The application is approved or denied based on inspection reports and reviews from the assigned agencies (compliance or outstanding deficiencies).

• If approved - the license fee paid will be administered and the license will be issued.
• If denied - the applicant has 15 days to appeal this decision to the Appeals Committee.

Submit an Appeal

Step 5 – Payment of License

Payment methods include:

• Over the phone by Visa, MasterCard or Amex
• In-person at 1211 John Counter Boulevard by Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Debit, Cheque or Cash

Step 6 – License Issued

• Once the Licensing fee is paid, the License will be issued
• The operator is now licensed to run their Short-term Rental and comply with the conditions outlined in the Bylaw

License Renewals

Short-Term Rental Licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. Complete the renewal application before your license expires.

Renew my License

Important Conditions for Operators

• Applicable to operators who receive payment for all or part of a Dwelling Unit used to provide sleeping accommodations for a period equal to or less than 30 consecutive days.
• No person shall market or permit the marketing of a Short-term Rental without holding a valid license issued under the provisions of Bylaw 2021-10.
• No person shall operate or permit to be operated a Short-term Rental without holding a valid license issued under the provisions of Bylaw 2021-10. 
• Operators shall not hold more than one Licence and shall not operate or permit the operation of more than two Short-Term Rentals at any time.
• A License under Bylaw 2021-10 is valid from April 1 to March 31 of each year and must be renewed prior to the expiration date.
• A license that is not renewed is expired.
• Operators shall notify the Licensing Division, in writing, within 14 days of any change to the information or documentation initially submitted.
• Operators shall ensure guests are adhering to the regulations contained in the Zoning Bylaw and the City’s Parking Bylaw (2010-128).
• Short-term rentals shall have no more than three rooms individually rented and sleeping accommodation for a maximum of four individuals; does not apply to a Short-term rental that consists of an entire single-detached dwelling unit under a single booking.
• Operators shall provide every guest the emergency contact information
• Operators shall post a copy of the License in a prominent place near the entry to the Short-term Rental at all times when the Short-term Rental is in use.
• Include the Operator’s License number in any medium or material used to market the Short-term rental.
• Adhere to all Municipal Accommodation Tax self-remittance processes and timelines
• Adhere to all record-keeping, auditing, and transactions requirements in accordance with Bylaw 2021-10.