Skip to Content
AccessibilityCareersReport an IssueContact Us
mySTC

St. Catharines Logo St. Catharines Logo

St. Catharines Logo
  • Applications, Licences and Permits
    Toggle Section Applications, Licences and Permits Menu
    • Building Permits
    • Burn Permits
    • Business Licences
    • Development Applications
    • Dog Licences
    • Heritage Permits
    • Liquor Licences
    • Lottery and Gaming Licences
    • Marriage Licences
      Toggle Section Marriage Licences Menu
      • Civil Marriage Ceremonies
    • Parking Permits
    • Road Permits and Applications
    • Short-term Rental Licensing
    • Signs
  • Arts, Culture and Events
    Toggle Section Arts, Culture and Events Menu
    • Arts and Culture Newsletters
    • Arts Awards
    • Attractions
      Toggle Section Attractions Menu
      • Centennial Gardens Totem Pole
      • Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum
      • Sports Hall of Fame
      • St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
    • Awards Programs
      Toggle Section Awards Programs Menu
      • Arts Awards
      • Trillium Awards
      • Volunteer Awards
    • Cultural Investment Program
    • Farmers Market
      Toggle Section Farmers Market Menu
      • Market Vendors
      • Farmers Market Events
    • Festivals and Special Events
      Toggle Section Festivals and Special Events Menu
      • Culture Days
      • Family Day
      • Farmers Market Events
      • Museum Events
      • News and Upcoming Events
      • Summer Concert Series
    • FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
    • History and Heritage
      Toggle Section History and Heritage Menu
      • Heritage Sites
        Toggle Section Heritage Sites Menu
        • British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Chapel
        • Former Lincoln County Courthouse
        • Former Merritton Town Hall
        • Heritage Tours
        • Lakeside Park Carousel
        • Mayholme Genealogical and Historical Research Centre
        • Morningstar Mill
        • Port Dalhousie Heritage District
        • Port Dalhousie Inner Range Lighthouse
        • Power Glen Heritage District
        • Queen Street Heritage District
        • The Underground Railroad
        • Yates Street Heritage District
      • History of the City
    • Libraries
    • Market Square
    • Public Art
      Toggle Section Public Art Menu
      • Art Exhibits
      • Calls to Artists
      • Carlisle Street Public Art Project
      • Civic Art Collection
      • Fallen Workers Memorial
      • Monuments and Memorials
    • Richard Pierpoint Park
      Toggle Section Richard Pierpoint Park Menu
      • Centennial Gardens Partnership Fund
      • Centennial Gardens Totem Pole
    • Tourism
    • St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
      Toggle Section St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Menu
      • Collections
        Toggle Section Collections Menu
        • eMuseum Online Collection
      • Exhibits
        Toggle Section Exhibits Menu
        • History InSite
        • Permanent Exhibits
        • Temporary Exhibits
        • Virtual Exhibits
      • Memberships
      • Museum Blog
      • Museum Events
        Toggle Section Museum Events Menu
        • Museum Calendar
      • Programs
        Toggle Section Programs Menu
        • Group Experiences
        • Guided Spirit Walks
        • Public Programs
        • STC StoryLab
        • Virtual Programs
      • Visiting Us
        Toggle Section Visiting Us Menu
        • Gift Shop
        • Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Building and Renovating
    Toggle Section Building and Renovating Menu
    • Building Permits
      Toggle Section Building Permits Menu
      • Applying for a Building Permit
      • Do I need a Building Permit
      • Inspections
      • Issued Permits
    • Heritage Properties
      Toggle Section Heritage Properties Menu
      • Heritage Designated Property Grant
      • History and Heritage
      • Heritage Inventory and Conservation Districts
      • Heritage Permits
    • Inspections
      Toggle Section Inspections Menu
      • Building Inspections
      • Sewer Inspections
    • Signs
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios During COVID-19 Recovery
      Toggle Section Temporary Outdoor Patios During COVID-19 Recovery Menu
      • Heaters, Open Air Burning and Cooking
      • Tents and Awnings
    • Zoning
  • Business and Economic Development
    Toggle Section Business and Economic Development Menu
    • Business Licences
    • Commercial and Charity Barbecues and Smokers
    • Community Profile
      Toggle Section Community Profile Menu
      • Demographics
      • Industries
      • Labour
    • Economic Development
    • Film Productions
    • Liquor Licences
    • Short-term Rental Licensing
    • Signs
    • Starting a Business
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios During COVID-19 Recovery
    • Vendor and purchasing opportunities
  • By-laws and Animal Services
    Toggle Section By-laws and Animal Services Menu
    • Animal Services and Control
      Toggle Section Animal Services and Control Menu
      • Dog Licences
    • By-law Directory
    • By-law Enforcement
    • Commonly Requested By-laws
      Toggle Section Commonly Requested By-laws Menu
      • Backyard Fires and Chimeneas
      • COVID-19 Mandatory Masks By-law
      • Graffiti By-Law
      • Noise By-law
      • Park By-law
      • Parking By-law
      • Pool Enclosure and Fence By-Law
      • Property Standards By-law
      • Short-term Rental Licensing
      • Sign By-law
      • Snow Removal By-law
      • Vacant Building Registry By-law
      • Vital Services By-law
      • Waste Disposal By-law
      • Weeds and Tall Grass By-Law
      • Zoning
    • Report an Issue
  • Community Services and Supports
    Toggle Section Community Services and Supports Menu
    • Accessibility
    • Cemeteries
    • Disability Assistance Programs
      Toggle Section Disability Assistance Programs Menu
      • Payment Extension Program
      • Property Tax Deferrals for Homeowners
      • Snow Removal Program
    • Extreme Temperatures
    • Fee Assistance in Recreation
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Organization Assistance Programs
      Toggle Section Organization Assistance Programs Menu
      • Ethno-Cultural Organization Assistance Programs
      • Non-profit Property Tax Rebate Program
    • Property Tax Deferrals for Homeowners
    • Senior Assistance Programs
      Toggle Section Senior Assistance Programs Menu
      • Payment Extension Program
      • Property Tax Deferrals for Homeowners
      • Snow Removal Program
      • Water and Wastewater Senior Credit Program
  • Council and Administration
    Toggle Section Council and Administration Menu
    • 2022 Municipal Election
      Toggle Section 2022 Municipal Election Menu
      • 2022 Election Results
      • Financial Statements
      • Certified Candidates
      • Registered Third Party Advertisers
      • Candidate Information
      • Third Party Advertising
      • Election Resources and Forms
      • Key Election Dates
      • Campaign Finances
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Boards, Commissions and Committees
      Toggle Section Boards, Commissions and Committees Menu
      • Advisory Committees of Council
        Toggle Section Advisory Committees of Council Menu
        • Accessibility Advisory Committee
        • Advisory Committee on Older Adults
        • Anti-Racism Advisory Committee
        • Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
        • Budget Standing Committee
        • Clean City Advisory Committee
        • Cultural Sustainability Committee
        • Downtown Development Revitalization
        • Economic Sustainability Committee
        • Environmental Sustainability Committee
        • Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
        • Green Advisory Committee
        • Heritage Advisory Committee
        • Heritage Permit Advisory Committee
        • LGBTQ2 Advisory Committee
        • Public Art Advisory Committee
        • Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee
        • Social Sustainability Committee
        • St. Catharines Museum Advisory Committee
        • Town and Gown Advisory Committee
        • Transportation Advisory Committee
      • Committee of Adjustment
      • Downtown Association
      • Meeting Calendar
      • FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Board
      • Niagara District Airport Commission
      • Property Standards Committee
      • Public Library Board
      • St. Catharines Hydro Board
      • Task Forces
        Toggle Section Task Forces Menu
        • 101 South Drive Property Task Force
        • 2029 Historic Welland Canals Task Force
        • Development Studies Task Force
        • Fallen Firefighters Memorial Task Force
        • Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force
        • Surplus Lands Development Task Force
      • Transit Commission
    • Budget and Finances
      Toggle Section Budget and Finances Menu
      • Asset Management
      • Budgets and Financial Statements
      • Rates and Fees
    • Careers
      Toggle Section Careers Menu
      • Employee Resources
    • City Hall
    • Contact Us
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Mayor and Council
      Toggle Section Mayor and Council Menu
      • Agendas and Minutes
      • Council Meeting Calendar
      • Mayor’s Office
      • Presenting to Council
      • Upper-Tier Government Representatives
      • Ward Councillors
      • Ward Map
    • Niagara Open Data
    • Official Emblems and Symbols
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
      Toggle Section Plans, Reports and Studies Menu
      • Climate Adaptation Plan
      • Culture Plan
      • Projects and Studies
      • Recreation Facility and Programming Master Plan
      • St. Catharines Strategic Plan
      • Transportation Master Plan
    • Policies and Procedures
      Toggle Section Policies and Procedures Menu
      • Disclaimer
      • Privacy Policy
      • Rzone Policy
    • Submitting a Claim
    • Surplus Auctions
    • Twin City
    • Upper-Tier Government Representatives
  • Home, Property and Environment
    Toggle Section Home, Property and Environment Menu
    • Backyard Fires and Chimeneas
    • Basement Flooding
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Environment
      Toggle Section Environment Menu
      • Bee City St. Catharines
      • Climate Adaptation Plan
      • Climate Change
      • Water Quality
    • Frozen Water Lines
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Gardening
      Toggle Section Gardening Menu
      • Boulevard Gardens
      • Community Gardens
      • Policy for Community Gardens on City Land
    • Hydro Utilities
    • Property Taxes
    • Rain Barrel Sales
    • Residential Rat Control
    • Short-term Rentals
    • Trees
      Toggle Section Trees Menu
      • Boulevard Trees
      • Invasive Species
      • Tree and Stump Removals
      • Tree Giveaway
    • Water Utilities and Services
  • Fire and Emergency Services
    Toggle Section Fire and Emergency Services Menu
    • Emergency Preparedness
      Toggle Section Emergency Preparedness Menu
      • Emergency Preparedness Guide
      • Know the Hazards
    • Fire Services
      Toggle Section Fire Services Menu
      • Backyard Fires and Chimeneas
      • Barbecues and Smokers
      • Burn Permits
      • Commercial and Charity Barbecues and Smokers
      • Fire Bans
      • Fire Prevention Office
      • Fire Safety
        Toggle Section Fire Safety Menu
        • Carbon Monoxide Awareness
        • Fire Extinguishers
        • Smoke Alarms
      • Report an Issue
    • Hospitals and Healthcare
    • Police
    • Report an Issue
  • News, Notices and Updates
    Toggle Section News, Notices and Updates Menu
    • Arts and Culture Newsletters
    • City Projects Construction Map
    • Community Events Calendar
    • Garden City Current Newsletter
    • mySTC Portal
      Toggle Section mySTC Portal Menu
      • mySTC Portal Frequently Asked Questions
    • News Releases
    • Projects and Studies
      Toggle Section Projects and Studies Menu
      • Energy Management Plan
      • Future of 282-285 Ontario Street
      • GO Transit Station Secondary Plan
      • Grantham Rail Trail Design-Build - Trail Improvements Project
      • Hampstead Place Reconstruction
      • Labyrinth at Fairview Park
      • Lake Street Improvements
      • Lake Street Reconstruction
      • Niagara 2041
      • Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan Study
      • Pollution Prevention and Control Plan
      • Port Dalhousie Secondary Plan Study
      • Ridley Road EA and Reconstruction
      • St. David's Road Townline Road Reconstruction
      • Sunset Beach Community Vision
    • Public Notices
    • Road and Traffic Notices
    • Social Media
    • Subscribe
  • Planning and Development
    Toggle Section Planning and Development Menu
    • Bill 23 - More Homes Built Faster Act
    • Committee of Adjustment
    • Community Benefits Charges
    • Community Improvement Plan
    • Condominiums
    • Development Agreements
    • Development Applications
    • Development Charges
    • Heritage Properties
      Toggle Section Heritage Properties Menu
      • Heritage Designated Property Grant
      • History and Heritage
      • Heritage Inventory and Conservation Districts
      • Heritage Permits
    • Official Plan
      Toggle Section Official Plan Menu
      • Official Plan Amendments
      • Residential Infill Review
    • Planning and Building Services Open Houses
    • Servicing Agreements
    • Site Plan Control
    • Subdivisions
    • Urban Design
    • Zoning
      Toggle Section Zoning Menu
      • Zoning By-law Amendments
      • Zoning Map
  • Property Taxes
    Toggle Section Property Taxes Menu
    • Assessments
    • Changing Your Address
    • Property Tax Calculator
    • Tax Certificates
    • Tax Payments and Rates
      Toggle Section Tax Payments and Rates Menu
      • Paperless e-bills
      • Property Tax Deferrals for Homeowners
      • Supplementary Tax Bills
    • Tax Sales
  • Recreation and Leisure
    Toggle Section Recreation and Leisure Menu
    • ActiveSTC Program Registration
    • Arenas and Ice Rinks
      Toggle Section Arenas and Ice Rinks Menu
      • Arena and Ice Rentals
      • Community Outdoor Ice Rinks
      • Public Skating and Arena Programs
        Toggle Section Public Skating and Arena Programs Menu
        • Preschool Stick and Puck
        • Public Skating
        • Shinny Hockey
        • Skating Calendar
        • Ticket Ice Figure Skating
    • Beaches
      Toggle Section Beaches Menu
      • Beach Parking
    • Donations and Memorials
    • Golf Course
      Toggle Section Golf Course Menu
      • Booking your Tee Time
      • Green Fees and Rental Rates
    • Happy Rolph's Animal Farm
    • Leash-free Dog Parks
    • Meridian Centre Community Use Program
    • Older Adult Centres
      Toggle Section Older Adult Centres Menu
      • Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre
      • Older Adult Centre Program Calendar
        Toggle Section Older Adult Centre Program Calendar Menu
        • Older Adult Centre Events
      • Port Dalhousie Older Adult Centre
      • Rent an Older Adult Centre
      • Seniors' Centre Without Walls
      • West St. Catharines Older Adult Centre
    • Outdoor Activities
      Toggle Section Outdoor Activities Menu
      • Boat Launches
      • Hiking, Walking and Running
    • Parks, Playing Fields, Courts and Green Spaces
    • Pickleball Courts
    • Pools and Splash Pads
      Toggle Section Pools and Splash Pads Menu
      • Aquatics and Ice Safety
      • Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
        Toggle Section Kiwanis Aquatics Centre Menu
        • Aquatic Deals and Events
        • Aquatic Fitness Schedule
        • Book a Program Room
        • School Instructional Swim Program
        • Swimming Schedule
      • Outdoor Pools
      • Pool Rentals
      • Splash Pads
      • Swimming Lessons
    • Recreation Programs
      Toggle Section Recreation Programs Menu
      • Drop-in Programs
      • Fee Assistance in Recreation
      • ActiveSTC registration
      • School Instructional Swim Program
      • Swimming Lessons
    • Rent Facilities, Fields and Parks
      Toggle Section Rent Facilities, Fields and Parks Menu
      • Kiwanis Field
      • Pool Rentals
    • Richard Pierpont Park
    • Rzone Policy
    • St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
    • Tennis Courts
    • Volunteering
      Toggle Section Volunteering Menu
      • Friends of Malcolmson Eco-Park
      • Friends of Morningstar Mill
      • Friends of the Carousel
  • Roads, Parking and Traffic
    Toggle Section Roads, Parking and Traffic Menu
    • Adopt a Street
    • City Projects Construction Map
    • Parking
      Toggle Section Parking Menu
      • Beach Parking
      • Downtown Parking Map
      • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
      • Parking in Port Dalhousie
      • Parking Permits
        Toggle Section Parking Permits Menu
        • Accessible Meter Parking Permit
        • Accessible Parking Permits
        • Commercial Parking Permits
        • Monthly Parking Permits
        • Residential Parking Permits
        • Veteran's Parking Permits
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
      • Smart Phone Parking Payments
      • Special Event Parking
      • Winter Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Road and Traffic Notices
    • Road Permits and Applications
      Toggle Section Road Permits and Applications Menu
      • Oversize and Overweight Vehicle Permits
      • Street Banner Permits
    • Snow Removal
      Toggle Section Snow Removal Menu
      • Sidewalk Snow Removal
      • Snow Removal Process
      • Winter Parking
    • Traffic and Road Safety
      Toggle Section Traffic and Road Safety Menu
      • Pedestrian Crossovers
      • Road Maintenance
      • School Crossing Guards
      • Street Cleaning
      • Traffic Signals, Utility Poles and Street Lights
    • Transit
  • St. Catharines Museum
  • Water Utilities and Services
    Toggle Section Water Utilities and Services Menu
    • Backflow Prevention
    • Basement Flooding
    • Fire Hydrants
    • Frozen Water Lines
    • Paying Your Water Bill
      Toggle Section Paying Your Water Bill Menu
      • Open or Close an Account
      • Paperless e-bills
      • Understanding Your Water Bill
      • Water and Wastewater Senior Credit Program
      • Water Meters
        Toggle Section Water Meters Menu
        • Submit Your Meter Reading
        • Water Meter Replacement
      • Water Wastewater Calculator
    • Rain Barrel Sales
    • Report an Issue
    • Sewers
    • Water Conservation
    • Water Quality
    • Water Wastewater Calculator
Contact Us

Row of law bookds

HomeBy-laws and Animal ServicesCommonly Requested By-lawsShort-term Rental Licensing
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Short-term Rental Licensing

Short-term rental (STR) properties, such as those offered through booking applications like VRBO and Airbnb, are permitted in residential areas under the City's Zoning By-law, provided they aren't the primary use of the property. The property must operate first and foremost as a full-time residence, with the resident temporarily renting out the entire dwelling unit on an occasional basis. The property cannot function solely as a STR.

Requirements for permitted STRs under the Zoning By-law:

  • Defined as a home based business
  • The unit is rented for a period not exceeding 28 consecutive days
  • STR is the primary residence of the operator (owner / tenant)
  • Can operate out of any residence, but must be secondary use of the property as a home-based business
  • Provision of one parking space per bedroom
  • The entire dwelling unit is rented (operations where the operator stays and hosts guests in their unit are covered under by-laws related to the operation of a bed and breakfast)

Licensing process

The City has established a Licensing By-law and Administrative Monetary Penalties System for the operation of STRs. You must obtain a licence, like any other business, to operate a STR.

Applications are issued for two years. An application fee must be paid before your application is processed, and, while the City will work with applicants to ensure their success if possible, money will not be returned if the application cannot be approved.

The City has established a monetary penalty system and demerit point system for STR operators under which monetary and operational penalties, including suspension of a licence, can be issued for various infractions.

 Short-term Rental Licence Application Process
 
Prepare your application materials.
  You will be required to submit a site plan, floor plans, parking management plan, fire protocol, fire safety plan if the residence contains five or more bedrooms, fire protocol, proof of insurance, electrical safety certificate, proof of property ownership / lease agreement, photos.
Consult our Short-term Rental Application Checklist further down on this page for more information on specific requirements.
 Apply

 Once you have all the necessary documentation submit you application online.

Apply Online

 Make payment
 Before staff begin processing your application you must pay the application fee. The fee is $500, and licences must be renewed after two years. Make sure you have your application's reference number, it is contained in your application's submission confirmation email. Call 905.688.5601 ext. 1660 to pay via credit card over the phone, or book an appointment with Planning and Building Services to make your payment in person at City Hall.
Ensure You Understand MAT Requirements

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the City of St. Catharines requires a Municipal Accommodation Tax be applied to all short-term rental stays. Effective that date, homeowners or tenants / lessees who operate a short-term rental must collect and remit a four per cent tax on all stays / rentals. Find out more and register your property.

 

 Application Checklist

As part of the application you will be required to submit a variety of supporting documents. You should have these ready before launching the online application. Individual file sizes will be limited to five megabytes. The following file types are permitted: .jpg, .png, .jpg, .pdf, .word, .doc, .docx.

Site Plan

A Site Plan is a sketch that indicates the location of the short-term rental premises on the property, adjacent roadways, and any external garbage / recycling facilities. This sketch basically encompasses the layout of the entire property, marking building placement.

Sample Site Plan

Floor Plans

Floor Plans are interior drawings clearly indicating location and number of rooms and proposed total occupancy limit. The plans should include dimensions, descriptions of proposed use, and the proposed number of beds for each room in the building / unit. Think of this as an overhead map of the interior of the residence with the information above.

Sample Floor Plan

Parking Management Plan

A Parking Management Plan consists of a scale drawing depicting the size, surface material, and location(s) of all parking spaces intended to be used for parking on the premises. Under zoning requirements there must be one parking space per bedroom in the STR. On-street parking may not be included, and all identified parking areas must be designed for such a purpose. The plan must be compliant with the City’s Zoning By-law and the Traffic By-law. Much like the site plan this is an overhead map of the property clearly marking parking spaces / facilities with the information mentioned above. Under the Zoning By-law a standard parking space is 5.2 by 2.6 metres, however size requirements vary for obstructed spaces. Please consult the Zoning By-law for more information.

Please note, all identified parking spaces must be located within the property boundary. Operators can use the Region’s Niagara Navigator tool, using the 2020 Imagery Basemap Gallery and Assessment Parcels layer, to identify their property’s boundary.

Sample Parking Management Plan

Fire Safety Protocol

A fire safety protocol is a protocol which contains an outline of actions for an occupant to take in the event of a fire emergency, the location of all fire-related safety equipment, a floor plan of the premises indicating the location of all emergency exits, contact information containing the name, phone number and e-mail address of the owner or long-term tenant. This plan would appear like the floor plan, but instead of marking dimensions and number of beds, would identify exits in the case of an emergency, in addition to fire safety equipment such as extinguishers and alarms. An example of this would be the fire safety map found on the back of a hotel room door.

Sample Fire Safety Protocol

Fire Safety Plan (five or more bedrooms)

A Fire Safety Plan is required for STRs with five or more bedrooms. 

A Fire Safety Plan deals with all aspects of fire safety at a building or property. It is specific to each property and ensures that all occupants and staff are aware of what actions to take in an emergency as well and outlines the owner's roles and responsibilities in general and during an emergency. The plan covers maintenance requirements of the building's fire and life safety features and includes information for Fire Services in the event of an emergency response at a property, such as floor plans; locations of shut offs and equipment; and contact names and numbers.

View our Fire Safety page for more information.

Proof of insurance

You will be required to submit a certificate of insurance which confirms that the applicant has in place at the time of the application, general liability insurance which can form part of or is included in a “home sharing”, “host insurance”, “short-term rental” or other similar type of insurance of not less than $2 million per occurrence including property damage and bodily injury, and if requested, that the City be included as an additional insured, but only with respect to the Applicant’s operation of the premises as a Short-term Rental.

Electrical Safety Certificate

An Electrical Safety Certificate can be issued by licensed electrician dated within 12 months of the date of the application, indicating the premises and its proposed use comply with the Electrical Safety Code.

Proof of property ownership / lease agreement

You will need to provide a copy of the transfer/deed proving you own the property. If you rent your residence that you will be operating as a short-term rental you will need to provide a copy of your rental/lease agreement for premises and written authorization from the property owner providing consent for operation of a short-term rental.

Interior / exterior photos

You must provide interior and exterior photos of the building frontage, rear yard, bedrooms, hallways, living / common area, and cooking areas. One of each room is required. 

 Demerit Point system

 The STR licensing by-law includes non-monetary penalties by establishing a system of demerit points associated with various infractions ranging from Fire and Building Code violations to waste, parking and noise related issues. Infractions carry point weights ranging from two to 10 points. Demerit points will remain active against a licence for two years, with penalties incurred at the accumulation of five, 10 and 15 points.

Penalties include:

  • Three-month licence suspension, with right to appeal for five to nine points
  • Revocation of licence for remaining duration, with right to appeal for 10 to 15 points
  • Revocation of licence for remaining duration, with no right to appeal for 15-plus points
Infraction Demerit Point Summary
InfractionReference By-lawDemerit Points

Fire Protection and Prevention Act

9.1.4.1 10

Fire Safety Protocol

9.1.6 10
Obstruction of Inspection 13.2 10
Building Code Act 9.1.4.2 8
Electrical Safety Code 9.1.4.3 8
Orders under the EMCPA 9.1.4.4 8
Reopening Ontario Act 9.1.4.5 8

Open Air Fires By-law

9.1.4.10 8
Health Protection and Promotion Act 9.1.4.6 8
Public Nuisance By-law No. 2007-295 9.1.4.12 7
Noise By-law No. 95-198 9.1.4.13 7
Fireworks By-law 9.1.4.9 7
Non-availability of responsible Person 9.1.9 4
Not posting Licence number 9.1.8 4
Not posting Licence 9.1.2 4
Not providing updated information 9.1.3 3
Parking Management Plan 9.1.5 3
Zoning By-law No. 2013-283 9.1.4.7 3
Property Standard By-law No. 2014-248 9.1.4.11 3
Waste By-law No. 2020-106 9.1.4.14 2
Garbage Collection 9.1.4.15 2

 Administrative Monetary Penalty System

Establishing an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) allows the City to levee monetary penalties against properties operating as STRS for violations of the City’s licensing by-law. Under the system we can administer monetary penalties through an internal process, alleviating the need for taxpayer-funded resources to pursue convictions through Provincial Offences Courts.

Penalties under the AMPS range from $100 to $1,000. A monetary penalty is assessed and imposed in the form of a penalty notice with a prescribed date and time for payment. Rather than going to court to dispute a fine in front of a judge, an individual can dispute an administrative penalty with a screening or hearing officer.

AMPS Offences and Penalties
OffencePenalty
Operating STR without licence $1,000
Failure to display licence $100
Failure to provide updated information $100
Operating STR without conforming to applicable laws $400
Failure to display fire safety protocol $400
Failure to include licence number in advertisement or promotion $700
Non-availability of contact person $100
Obstruction of Director or officer $400
  • Commonly Requested By-laws
    Toggle Section Commonly Requested By-laws Menu
    • Backyard Fires and Chimeneas
    • COVID-19 Mandatory Masks By-law
    • Graffiti By-Law
    • Noise By-law
    • Park By-law
    • Parking By-law
    • Pool Enclosure and Fence By-Law
    • Property Standards By-law
    • Short-term Rental Licensing
    • Sign By-law
    • Snow Removal By-law
    • Vacant Building Registry By-law
    • Vital Services By-law
    • Waste Disposal By-law
    • Weeds and Tall Grass By-Law
    • Zoning
  • View Full By-laws and Animal Services Menu
    Toggle side navigation menu
    • Animal Services and Control
      Toggle Section Animal Services and Control Menu
      • Dog Licences
    • By-law Directory
    • By-law Enforcement
    • Report an Issue

Contact Us

Subscribe To Page Updates

St. Catharines footer logo

Open new window to view our Facebook page Open new window to view our Instagram page Open new window to view our Twitter page Open new window to view our YouTube page Open new window to view our LinkedIn page

Copyright © 2021 The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines, 50 Church St., PO Box 3012, St. Catharines ON L2R 7C2,
Email: CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca, TTY: 905.688.4TTY(4889), Tel: 905.688.5600

AccessibilityCareersReport an IssueContact UsWebsite FeedbackPrivacy PolicyDisclaimerSitemap
Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.