As of March 8, the town of Huntsville, Ont., has introduced a new 24-hour hotline that residents can call to report concerns about short-term rentals operating in the area.
The introduction of the hotline aims to expedite community concerns, including excessive noise, improper burning, and dogs running loose. By calling 705-990-3438, individuals will be connected to a live representative, who will then notify short-term rental operators of the concerns.
The hotline will also document the complaint should the issue result in a charge from the town bylaw department. If two non-concurrent complaints are filed against a given short-term rental, the operator could see their license revoked.
Currently, about 200 rental properties are operating in the area. In 2020, Huntsville introduced an accommodation tax and a licensing program for short-term rentals to curb rentals operating in areas that weren’t appropriately zoned. The town had previously introduced a similar four per cent accommodation tax on hotels and motels in 2019.
The town also raised renewal fees for 2024 licenses. Residents would have had to renew prior to the first weekend in February, otherwise, they must submit a new application for the 2024 season. Renewal fees are set at $259 for principal residences and $518 for a secondary residences. New application fees range from about $500–$800. Rental owners in Huntsville also now have the option to submit their applications through the town’s online portal, which residents can also use to apply for building permits.
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