As of April 6, 2022, Council approved a Short-Term Rentals (STR) program and passed Licensing By-law 2022-032-LI being a by-law to license, regulate, and govern certain businesses in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, including STRs. A STR is the use of a Dwelling Unit or part of a Dwelling Unit for temporary overnight Guest accommodation for a period of not more than 28 consecutive days, and shall not include a hotel, motel, retirement home, or bed and breakfast establishment as defined by the Zoning by-law.

Every Owner operating STRs shall Licence the STR with the Licensing Officer pursuant to the Licensing By-law.

Frequently Asked Questions

To apply, complete a Short-Term Rental Application and submit along with required documentation to the Licensing and Public Services Coordinator by email at clerks@townofws.ca, by mail or in-person at the Customer Service Centre.

Please enclose payment in the form of a cheque made payable to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville or  credit card authorization form.

The Licensing and Public Services Co-ordinator will schedule inspections in accordance with the Licensing By-law. If approved, please complete the following forms and return them to the Licensing and Public Services Co-ordinator as per contact information above. 

• Responsible Person Consent Form 
• Emergency Safety Rules
• Short-Term Rental Code of Conduct

Once the short-term rental has been licensed, you must:

• display the licence in a place visible from the outside of, or as near as possible to, the main entrance of the short-term rental.
• notify the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, in writing, within seven days of any change to the information provided in the application to obtain or renew a licence.
• ensure the home complies, at all times, with the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code, including maximum occupancy.
• renew the licence annually as long as the STR is in operation.

The location of all licenced STR in the Town shall be posted on the website and include the contact information for the Responsible Person appointed by the operator tasked with the management of the property. Complaints can be made to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville By-law Enforcement division by calling 905-640-1910 Ext. 2229.