FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2020
Pelham, ON – On July 13, 2020, the Town of Pelham Council passed bylaws to amend the Official Plan and the Zoning Bylaw as they pertain to short term accommodations within the town.
The amendment to the Official Plan institutes policies on short term accommodations within the Town, outlining that these types of establishments are permitted only in single-detached dwellings, and therefore not permitted in medium to high-density residential areas.
The amendment to the Zoning Bylaw allows bed and breakfast establishments within any principal residence dwelling in specific zones, including agriculture and commercial zones, but not residential, subject to parking, building code, and licensing provisions.
The zoning amendment permits short term accommodation rentals including bed and breakfast establishments and short term rentals of entire dwelling units in the Agricultural, Special Rural, Neighbourhood Commercial, General Commercial and Commercial Rural zones subject to meeting licencing requirements.
Council also passed a complimentary Licencing By-law requiring all short term accommodations (including bed and breakfast establishments) to obtain a license to operate. To be granted a licence, establishments must comply with all applicable municipal bylaws, including the Zoning Bylaw and provincial legislation.
Implementing the Zoning Bylaw amendment does not permit establishments in residential zones. Therefore, an owner must apply for a licence and is required to comply with the Zoning Bylaw or undertake a rezoning of the property to comply. Furthermore, establishments are not permitted to be run by someone who is a renter, as they would not qualify for the licence.
The Licencing Bylaw, combined with the Official Plan amendment and the Zoning Bylaw amendment, provide the appropriate tools to manage and regulate short term accommodations, including bed and breakfast establishments.
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For more information, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
Communications and Public Relations Specialist
905-892-2607 x309
mmacdonald@pelham.ca
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