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Short-term rental licensing and application records in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
A St. Catharines short-term rental must remain the operator’s primary home, with rental use secondary to that residence. Operators need a two-year licence and cannot treat ordinary street parking as bedroom parking supply.
Key information
A St. Catharines short-term rental must remain the operator’s primary home, with rental use secondary to that residence. Operators need a two-year licence and cannot treat ordinary street parking as bedroom parking supply.
On this page
Prepare before opening the portal at a glance
- Prepare site and floor plans
Prepare site and floor plans, parking management plan, fire safety protocol, ownership or lease evidence and interior/exterior photographs. Tenant operators also need the owner’s written consent.
- Register for the Building Permit Application Portal and obtain a PIN
Register for the Building Permit Application Portal and obtain a PIN. Existing portal users without a PIN should register using the same email.
- Submit documents and pay the required application fee before processing
Submit documents and pay the required application fee before processing. Contact building@stcatharines.ca for portal help. A fee is not refunded if the application cannot be approved.
Sources: Short-term rental licences
Licensing and zoning conditions
| Item | City rule |
|---|---|
| Stay length | No more than 28 consecutive days |
| Home use | Operator’s primary residence |
| Parking | One on-site space per bedroom |
| Bed-and-breakfast rooms | No more than 4 rented rooms |
| Licence term | 2 years |
| Upload size | 5 MB per file |
Sources: Short-term rental licences
Prepare before opening the portal
- Prepare site and floor plans, parking management plan, fire safety protocol, ownership or lease evidence and interior/exterior photographs. Tenant operators also need the owner’s written consent.
- Register for the Building Permit Application Portal and obtain a PIN. Existing portal users without a PIN should register using the same email.
- Submit documents and pay the required application fee before processing. Contact building@stcatharines.ca for portal help. A fee is not refunded if the application cannot be approved.
Sources: Short-term rental licences
What the plans must show
The site plan shows the building, adjacent roads and outdoor waste facilities. Floor plans identify rooms, dimensions, intended use, beds and total occupancy.
The parking plan shows size, surface and location within property boundaries. Standard spaces are 2.75 m by 5.6 m, increasing to 3 m or 3.3 m width where obstructed on one or two sides. Tandem parking is specifically permitted for bed-and-breakfast STRAs from December 5, 2024.
The fire protocol identifies exits, safety equipment, emergency actions and operator contacts. Photos must cover the frontage, rear yard, bedrooms, halls, common and cooking areas. The licence page also requires municipal accommodation-tax registration; verify current tax administration separately.
Sources: Short-term rental licences
Keep the licence and advertising compliant
The city has administrative monetary penalties and a demerit system. Advertising without a valid licence number and operating without a licence each carry a listed $1,000 penalty. Failing to include the number in an advertisement has a separate $700 listed penalty.
Demerits remain active for two years and can suspend or revoke a licence. The published bands overlap at 15 points; this guide does not decide which appeal rule applies at that boundary. Confirm it with Licensing.
Sources: Short-term rental licences
Questions and answers
Can an investment dwelling operate without being my primary home?
The city requires the STRA to be the operator’s primary residence and a secondary home-based use.
Source: Short-term rental licences
What is the maximum consecutive rental period?
28 days under the stated STRA definition.
Source: Short-term rental licences
Can a tenant operate an eligible rental?
The source permits owner or tenant operators, but a tenant needs lease evidence and written owner authorization.
Source: Short-term rental licences
Does street parking count toward the bedroom requirement?
No. Spaces must be on the property and designed for parking.
Source: Short-term rental licences
How many rented rooms can a bed-and-breakfast have?
No more than four.
Source: Short-term rental licences
What does the parking management plan need?
Scaled spaces showing dimensions, surface and positions within the property boundary.
Source: Short-term rental licences
Can an application payment be refunded after refusal?
The page says money is not returned if approval cannot be given.
Source: Short-term rental licences
Can I advertise without showing the licence number?
No. The city lists an advertising-number requirement and monetary penalties.
Source: Short-term rental licences
Sources: Short-term rental licences