The Town of Newmarket is considering whether or not to change its rules for short-term rentals to broaden the options.
A resident came before council today to request the change in the zoning rules that currently restrict short-term rentals to single, detached family dwellings. The municipality is already planning to review its bylaw for short-term rentals, with staff expected to bring forward a report in the next few months.
Pejman Mojdehi said that the current rules are limiting and changing them could benefit both homeowners and the community as a whole.
“These restrictions have resulted in less income for homeowners and decreased utilization of housing,” he said. “In addition, our community suffers from reduced tourism potential and less vibrancy in our neighbourhoods.”
Newmarket currently licenses short-term rentals, requiring them to adhere to a set of regulations. Town bylaws also do not allow for a home to principally be used as a short-term rental, though residents may offer part of their home for such a rental if it is their primary and occupied residence.
“Newmarket’s zoning bylaws require residential dwelling units to be used as space for families to live and not as a commercial short-term accommodation,” the town website states.
The town’s rules date back to 2020, on the heels of a fatal shooting at a short-term rental house in Newmarket. More than half of respondents to a town survey at the time called for an outright ban on short-term rentals, but the town did not go that far.
Mojdehi said that other municipalities are not as restrictive. He said concerns such as parking, noise and community safety could be addressed through quiet hours and screening processes.
“Our objective is to offer affordable housing,” he said. “We hope you will join us in advocating for this change to benefit our community as a whole.”
Director of planning Jason Unger said the town’s review is considering whether they want to allow short-term rentals in more types of built forms besides single detached dwellings, plus parking requirements. Rentals currently must provide one off-street parking space for each bedroom, in addition to one for the permanent resident of the property.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the restrictions came about due to difficulties within the community and they cannot make rules based on one good host. He said the town will have to strike a balance and said there are views that short-term rentals can cause harm to housing affordability by taking up homes that could be permanently rented.
“We’re going to have to weigh all those things,” he said. “That’s the kind of debate we’ll have in a few months.”
