NIAGARA FALLS, ON - Currently, there are over 1,000 Vacation Rental Units (VRUs) operating illegally in the City of Niagara Falls. These illegal VRUs are listed on platforms such as AirBnb, VRBO, Kijiji, etc.
VRUs are currently permitted in Niagara Falls, as per By-Law 2018-92, 2021-99, and 2021-57, they must meet all three (3) of the following requirements:
The VRU must be located in a Tourist Commercial (TC), General Commercial (GC) or Central Business (CB) zone. Click here for a map of these zones.
The VRU must be licensed by the City of Niagara Falls.
The VRU has no more than three (3) bedrooms.
“The City of Niagara Falls is committed to making our community a welcoming and inviting place for visitors. However, we remain dedicated to balancing the needs of visitors with the safety and comfort of residents as it pertains to Vacation Rental Units,” said Jason Burgess, City of Niagara Falls’ Chief Administration Officer.
The City of Niagara Falls has traditionally allowed for Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) in residential areas, however, these properties differ from a traditional VRU as the owner of the property must live on site and be present when the travelling public is using the property. These units must also be licensed by the City. The City will be updating its bylaw(s) in order to ensure owner-occupied vacation rental units, including B&Bs, are licensed and regulated effectively.
Beginning today, residents can use the City’s new online reporting tool at niagarafalls.ca/VRU to notify the City’s By-Law Enforcement Team of a suspected illegal VRU. Residents can also contact the Clerks Office or By-Law Enforcement directly to file a report.
The City has also developed a Vacation Rental Unit Handbook, available to download at niagarafalls.ca/VRU, to educate VRU operators in Niagara Falls on the criteria required for owning and operating a Vacation Rental Unit, including how to license their VRU with the City.
For more information, contact:
Kira Dolch
General Manager
Planning, Building & Development
City of Niagara Falls
(905) 356-7521 ext. 4231
[email protected]
