As of January 1, 2024, the City of Hamilton enforces a Short-Term Rental (STR) By-law requiring hosts to obtain a municipal business license to operate a short-term rental in their principal residence. This regulation applies to rentals of all or part of a dwelling for periods less than 28 consecutive days.
Licensing Fees
As of 2025, the City of Hamilton charges a $500 application fee for new short-term rental licenses. This fee covers processing, inspections, and verification. The annual renewal fee is $250, and it must be paid before the license expiration date to maintain compliance.
Licensing Requirements
- Principal Residence: Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted only in the host’s principal residence, including legal secondary suites, such as basement apartments or laneway homes.
- License Application: Applications must be submitted to the City of Hamilton Planning Department, including:
- Completed STR License application form
- Detailed floor plan indicating room dimensions, number of bedrooms, location of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and fire evacuation routes
- Proof of $2 million liability insurance
- Guest information package outlining house rules, emergency info, and a fire escape plan
- Approval from the condo board or property owner, if applicable
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check from the applicant’s local police service
- Certificate of Zoning Verification
- Statutory declaration confirming compliance with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- List of advertising platforms used for the rental
- Emergency contact information is available 24/7 during rental periods
- Proof of principal residence (e.g., recent utility bill or tax document)
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Fully completed STR questionnaire
- Floor plan showing square footage, number of bedrooms, location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, evacuation routes, and safety equipment
- Approval from condo board and/or property owner, if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest information package
- Proof/Declaration of Principal Residence
- Contact information for emergency contact is available 24 hours a day during rental periods.
- List of companies used to advertise
- Description of what parts of the property will be used for STR
- Description of the type of building the STR is located in (condo, apartment, laneway house)
- Number of off-street parking spaces available for the STR
- Floor plan showing square footage of the residential unit in which the STR will be located
- Number of bedrooms in the STR
- Number/location of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Evacuation routes and the location of safety equipment
- Fully completed STR questionnaire
- Proof/Declaration of Principal Residence
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
- Government-issued ID
- Criminal record check (from the police services board in the hometown of the applicant – no third-party checks will be accepted)
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Guest Information Package
- Detailed fire escape plan
- Proof of adequate insurance coverage
- Approval of condo board and/or property owner if applicable
- Statutory declaration that the property complies with the Fire Prevention Act and Ontario Fire Code
Other Short-Term Rental Regulations
As a responsible host, you must comprehend and abide by other vacation rental rules and regulations that bind you. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines. Feel free to reach out to your landlord, housing authority, or community council to find out more. To get more information about other short-term rental regulations, you can also visit Hamilton’s official website or contact us.