Current Planning Application Details
(AM-2025-001)
Location: The City of Niagara Falls has initiated an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment to implement policies and regulations that will permit Owner Occupied Short-Term Rentals in Residential Areas in the urban area.
The proposed Official Plan Amendment will apply to all lands designated Residential, where home occupations are permitted. The proposed Zoning By-law Amendment will apply to all lands zoned R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R1E, R1F, R2, R3, R4 and TRM. The areas affected by the proposed amendments are shown on the location maps.
Purpose and effect: The proposed Official Plan Amendment includes permissions for Owner Occupied Short-Term Rentals where permissions exist for Bed and Breakfast establishments as a home occupation, in residential designations. The proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment will allow Owner Occupied Short-Term Rentals within or accessory to permitted detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, duplex dwellings and townhouse dwellings in Lands zoned R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, R1E, R1F, R2, R3, R4 or TRM under Zoning By-law No. 79-200.
The key provisions associated with the zoning permissions include:
• The owner must have their principal residence on the property and must be present for the duration of the rental period;
• The rental must be within a separate contained dwelling unit;
• Only one Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental is permitted per property;
• The owner must obtain a license from the City and keep it current and maintained in good standing;
• The number of bedrooms would be limited to 3;
• The number of guests permitted would be in accordance with the Ontario Building Code to a maximum of 6;
• Parking requirements would be 1 for the owner and 1 for the Owner Occupied Short Term-Rental with a 2nd space required if
there are 3 bedrooms (2-3 spaces required based on size);
• Owner Occupied Short Term Rentals could be rented to a single group for a period of 28 consecutive days or less;
• Would be rented to a single group (not renting bedrooms to different groups of people); and
• Unit must contain kitchen and bathroom facilities.
To implement the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments, changes to the Licensing By-law, Fee By-law, Administrative Penalties (Non-Parking) By-law and the Municipal Accommodation Tax By-law would be required should Council approve the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments.
Meeting Date
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Application Types
- Official Plan Amendment (OPA)
- Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA)
Associated Files
The application files have been submitted by developers and builders and may not conform to accessibility standards. Should you need assistance with these files, please contact Planning, Building and Development.
Contact
Kailen GoerzSenior Manager of Long-Range Planning Initiatives
905-356-7521 ext 4252
[email protected]
Contact Us
City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
[email protected]