Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals

An Owner Occupied Short Term Rental (OOSTR) is a home occupation in a dwelling unit within or accessory to a Principal Residence that is rented out by the Owner to a single group of the travelling public for a period of 28 consecutive days or less and is licensed by the City of Niagara Falls to carry out a business.

Everything you need to know about owner occupied short-term rentals

Do you have an additional dwelling unit on your property? Property owners are now allowed to rent out a dwelling unit on the same property as their principal residence as a short-term rental. This is permitted as part of a 14-month pilot project allowing for 100 licences with completion at the end of September 2026. Following this, Council will assess the success of the program and determine if it should be continued.

OOSTR applications are now closed

The deadline to submit a completed OOSTR application was September 30, 2026. We are no longer accepting applications.

The 14-month pilot project has ended. Council will review the success of the program and decide whether to continue it.

Owner Occupied Short Term Rental Handbook

The City of Niagara Falls has created an Owner Occupied Short Term Rental Handbook for operators. It explains the rules, procedures, and best practices for running a legal OOSTR.

Decorative blue and purple artwork of homes on a street

Owner Occupied Short Term Rental Handbook

Fees, fines and municipal accommodation tax

Fees

Check the Schedule of Fees for new licences and renewals.

Fines and penalties

In accordance with Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals By-laws, it is illegal to:

Own and operate an OOSTR in Niagara Falls without a valid licence
Own or operate an OOSTR other than in accordance with the term and conditions of a licence, the terms and conditions of the OOSTR By-law
Advertise, promote, broker, or offer for rent an OOSTR without a valid licence
No person shall, because of race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation, discriminate against any member of the public in the carrying on, conducting or operating of an OOSTR
No person renting an OOSTR shall sublet the accommodation to another person or party, meaning the OOSTR contract is non-transferable

In accordance with the Administrative Penalties By-laws, fine amounts are $1,000 per day.

Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)

OOSTR operators must register, collect and remit the MAT tax.

Learn more on our Municipal Accommodation Tax page.

Relevant by-laws

Owner Occupied Short Term Rental listing

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