Short-Term Accomodations

• A Class A Licensee shall ensure that the Premises are the Principal Residence of the Licensee. Proof of Principal Residency must be provided as part of the license application and renewal process, and its validity is at the discretion of the Issuer of Licenses. 
• A Class A Licensee may designate a long-term lessee of the Premises as the Responsible Person for the Short-Term Accommodation. The Licensee Page 122 of 193 must provide the following information for the Responsible Person upon application for a new license or renewal: 
  
  • Copy of valid government issued Photo I.D.
  • Proof of long-term lease (1-year or longer).
  • Contact information including phone number and email address. 
• A Class A Licensee shall ensure that only the prescribed number of Guest Rooms are available for rent as permitted in the Zoning By-law. 
• A Class A Licensee shall ensure that at least one (1) bedroom is available on a full-time basis in the Premises for the exclusive use of the Licensee or Responsible Person. 
• A Class A Licensee must be present to supervise Guests from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM every day. 
• A Class A Licensee must ensure that the Guest responsible for the Short-term Accommodation booking signs the Renters Code of Conduct and that a signed copy of this agreement is maintained by the Owner for a period of two (2) years. 
• A Class A Licensee must maintain a Guest registry, provided to the Issuer of Licenses upon request, for a period of two (2) years from the date of the rental with the following information for each rental: 
  
  • check-in and check-out dates;
  • total number of Guests;
  • confirmation that the Guest(s) have signed the Renter’s Code of Conduct;
  • total number of vehicles for each Guest group, including vehicle make, model, and license plate.

• A Class B Licensee is exempt from providing the following submittals as part of a license application or renewal, unless otherwise required by the Issuer of Licenses:
  
  • Site Plan Drawing
  • Garbage Management Plan
  • Parking Management Plan

• Included in this class are Short-Term Accommodations including Rental Cabins and Rental Cottages.
• A Class C Licensee must ensure that the Guest responsible for the Short-Term Accommodation booking signs the Renters Code of Conduct and that a signed copy of this agreement is maintained by the Owner for a period of two (2) years. 
• A Class C Licensee must maintain a Guest Register, provided to the Issuer of Licenses upon request, for a period of two (2) years from the date of the rental with the following information for each rental: 
  
  • check-in and check-out dates
  • total number of Guests
  • confirmation that the Guest(s) have signed the Renter’s Code of Conduct
  • total number of vehicles for each Guest group, including vehicle make, model, and license plate.

Before starting your application, confirm you meet the eligibility requirements for a Short-Term Accommodation License. Please carefully review the following by-laws and documents to ensure your eligibility:

• Zoning By-law
• Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law
• Fire Safety Checklist
• Property Standards Checklist

Please review the STA License Application Checklist to ensure you have all the necessary documentation ready for your application. Documentation and samples can be found below. These submittals must be uploaded as part of your online application by emailing wbbl@wasagabeach.com. Please refer to Schedule A of the STA By-law for a full list of submittals based on your Class.

To avoid delays, please ensure the Neighbourhood Partnership Plan Package documents are complete, accurate, and meet all specified requirements before submission. Applications will not be reviewed until all required submittals have been received.

Neighbourhood Partnership Plan Package Includes: 

• Sample Site Plan 
• Garbage Management Plan
• Noise and Nuisance Mitigation Plan
• Parking Plan

Additional Forms/Resources

• STA License Application Form
• Application Checklist
• Insurance Declaration Form
• Fire Safety Checklist
• Property Standards Checklist
• Renters Code of Conduct

The Renters Code of Conduct have been prepared by the Town to prescribe the roles and responsibilities of the Licensee, Responsible Person,  Renters and Guests, including but not limited to: behavioural expectations as they relate to non-disturbance of neighbours; compliance with applicable Town by-laws, and adherence to the provisions of the Short-Term Accommodation Licensing By-law. The Renter Code of Conduct must be completed upon every rental of the Premises. 

• Property Standards Checklist
• Water Safety Form
• Responsible Person Declaration Form
• Zoning By-law

Building Code 

One of the requirements of the STA Licensing By-law is compliance with the Ontario Building Code. As part of the review of STA License applications, the Building Department will be reviewing the information submitted with the application to do the following:

• Confirm that the submitted Floor Plan and Site Diagram match the Township records (including the sewage system records)
• Confirm that there are no outstanding inspections on open Building Permit
• Confirm that there are no outstanding Ontario Building Code Orders or complaints (including compliance with the Township Sewage System Re-inspection Program)

Important Dates and Information

• Building permit required as of November 4, 1966
• Occupancy permit required as of October 26th 1986
• Sheds not exceeding more than 161 sq. ft and other structures not exceeding 108 sq. ft do not require building permits but must comply with the Township Zoning By-law

Fire Safety Tips for Owners and Renters 

Practice home safety in rentals just like you do at home to make sure:

• Everyone knows the address of the rental
• Everyone knows two ways out of every room, and out of the rental
• All doors and windows that lead outside can be easily opened
• To choose an outside meeting place a safe distance from the rental where everyone can meet and be accounted for

For more information on fire safety and emergency planning, please visit the Fire & Emergency Services page.

Water Safety Tips

Wasaga Beach Fire and Emergency Services ensure safety through land/water response, education, and fire prevention. Key guidelines include checking the current fire danger rating, keeping fires small (and attended, and staying off dangerous winter ice shelves. No lifeguards are on duty at the beach; water safety is the visitor's responsibility.

• Water Safety Form

For more information on water safety, please visit the Fire & Emergency Services page.

Town Events

Wasaga Beach hosts a wide variety of events and festivals throughout the year that bring together residents and visitors to celebrate the community’s culture, music, and outdoor lifestyle. Annual events such as Snowman Mania, Trail Tunes, Canada Day celebrations, Music in the Park, and the Memories of Summer beachfront concert offer entertainment for all ages, including live music, family activities, fireworks, and seasonal celebrations.

These events help showcase the town’s vibrant tourism scene and create opportunities for people to gather, explore the waterfront, and enjoy the longest freshwater beach in the world. For a full list of upcoming festivals and community events, visit the events calendar.

Submit your application by emailing the Licensing Officer. If your application is found to be incomplete or missing required information and/or documentation, we will notify you and provide you with seven days to submit the missing information/documents. Failure to provide the requested information and/or documentation within this timeframe will render your application incomplete, and you will need to submit a new application to proceed.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required inspections and documentation listed in Schedule A of the By-law are completed and approved within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the Issuer of Licenses receives the completed application. If the required documentation is not submitted or the inspections are not successfully completed within this timeframe, or within any approved extension, the application will be considered invalid.

Once submitted, Town staff will review your submitted application and supporting documents to ensure compliance with the STA Licensing By-law 2026-08 and applicable laws.

If the review of your application reveals that you do not comply with the requirements set out in the STA Licensing By-law or applicable laws, the Licensing Officer will notify you and provide you with sixty calendar days to correct the issue(s). You must notify the Licensing Officer in writing once the required corrections have been completed.

Failure to correct the issue(s) within this timeframe will render your application incomplete, and you will need to submit a new application to proceed.

After the application review is complete, Town staff will contact you to schedule the Fire Inspection with the Fire Department and the Property Standards Inspection with the By-law Department. 

If an inspection of the premises reveals that your property does not comply with the requirements set out in the STA Licensing By-law or applicable laws, the Licensing Officer will notify you and provide sixty calendar days to correct the issue(s). You must notify the Licensing Officer in writing once the required corrections have been completed and, if deemed necessary by an Officer, arrange for a reinspection.

Failure to correct the issue(s) and, if applicable, arrange for a reinspection within twenty-one days will render your application incomplete, and you will need to submit a new application to proceed.

Once all requirements have been met and the fire and property standards inspections are completed, Town staff will contact you to issue your Short-Term Accommodation License.

At this stage, you will receive your official License, allowing you to legally operate your Short-Term Accommodation in compliance with the STA Licensing By-law.