Uxbridge has no short-term rental bylaw. No license, no night limit, no principal residence requirement. You can operate an Airbnb in Uxbridge today without any municipal approval, subject to general zoning and property standards rules. The regional trend suggests that won't last.
Information drawn from the Township of Uxbridge's bylaws page and Zoning By-law 81-19.
Quick Summary
The Current Rules
The Township of Uxbridge does not license, register, or specifically regulate short-term rentals. There is no STR bylaw on the Township's Regulatory Bylaws list. There is no application form, no inspection regime, and no fee schedule for STRs.
Uxbridge sits alongside Brock as the two Durham Region municipalities without any STR-specific regulation. Oshawa (licensed with $150 fee, 180-day cap, 5% MAT), Whitby (actively drafting rules), and Scugog (zoning-based restriction) have all taken action in the region. Uxbridge remains the most open market among Durham's eight municipalities, along with Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, and Brock.
Zoning By-law 81-19
Uxbridge's Zoning By-law 81-19 (last consolidated December 2023) governs what uses are permitted on each property. The bylaw does not explicitly define "short-term rental" as a separate land use. In practice:
- Residential use is permitted in most residential zones. Renting a room or entire home for short stays is generally consistent with residential use provided it does not create a commercial character.
- Large-scale commercial operations (dedicated purpose-built STRs, event venues) may push the use into commercial territory and require a zoning amendment.
- Agricultural and rural zones may have specific restrictions on non-farm uses. Check your zoning designation before operating on rural land.
- Accessory dwellings, garden suites, and coach houses may have distinct permitted uses that limit STR operation.
Request a Zoning Certificate from the Township's Planning Department (905-852-9181) to confirm your property's zoning and permitted uses.
Why This Matters Right Now
Starting an Uxbridge STR now offers two strategic advantages:
- Grandfathering potential. When Durham neighbours passed their STR bylaws, existing operators typically got a transition window to come into compliance. You're only protected if you're operating before the bylaw is proposed.
- Operating history. Reviews, pricing calibration, and systems take time to build. Every month you delay, future competitors catch up.
Uxbridge has a specific tourist draw that other Durham cities don't. The Oak Ridges Moraine, the Trans Canada Trail, Uxbridge Studio Tour weekend events, and the historic downtown all bring overnight visitors. This is a good market for operators comfortable with lower-volume, higher-value stays.
What Rules DO Apply
- Noise By-law. Excessive noise particularly between 11pm and 7am can trigger fines regardless of STR status.
- Property Standards By-law. Properties must be maintained to habitable standards.
- Zoning By-law 81-19. Use must be consistent with zoning designation.
- Ontario Fire Code. Smoke alarms in every sleeping area, CO alarms near fuel-burning appliances, accessible fire extinguishers.
- Ontario Building Code. Any renovations require permits.
- HST. Required registration for STR revenue over $30,000 per year.
How to Host Legally in Uxbridge Today
- Request a Zoning Certificate for rural or non-residential properties.
- Get STR-specific insurance with $2M minimum liability and explicit STR coverage.
- Install all required safety equipment (smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguishers).
- Post clear house rules addressing noise (quiet hours), parking, waste disposal, and occupancy.
- List on Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com following platform host requirements.
- Register for HST if you expect to exceed $30,000 in annual STR revenue.
- Save transaction records. Future bylaws will almost certainly require historical data.
- Monitor Council announcements via uxbridge.ca and subscribe to council agenda notifications.
Best Uxbridge Neighbourhoods for STRs
- Downtown Uxbridge: Historic main street, restaurants, Thomas Foster Memorial Temple, Trailways Museum. Walking-distance amenities attract weekend visitors.
- Goodwood: Small village character, Schomberg-adjacent.
- Zephyr: Rural and quiet with access to Uxbridge trails.
- Uxbridge Heights / North Uxbridge: Larger lots, popular for family groups and fall visitors.
- Oak Ridges Moraine properties: Nature-adjacent stays, niche audience, premium pricing potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to Airbnb in Uxbridge, Ontario?
No. As of April 2026, the Township of Uxbridge has no short-term rental licensing bylaw and no specific STR registration process. You can list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com without municipal approval. General property standards, noise, parking, and zoning bylaws still apply.
What is Uxbridge's Zoning By-law status on STRs?
Zoning By-law 81-19, the Township's current zoning instrument, does not explicitly define or regulate short-term rentals. Residential uses are generally permitted in most zones. However, operating an STR as a commercial business at significant scale may require a zoning amendment or variance depending on the nature and scale of the operation. Contact Township Planning at 905-852-9181 for zoning questions about your specific property.
Can I Airbnb an investment property in Uxbridge?
Yes. Without an STR-specific bylaw, there is no principal residence requirement. Investment properties, second homes, rural cottages, and trail-country estates can all legally operate as STRs in Uxbridge today. General zoning and property standards still apply.
Is there a night limit for STRs in Uxbridge?
No. There is no municipal night cap on how many days you can host. HST (13%) still applies federally if your annual STR revenue exceeds $30,000.
Is Uxbridge going to regulate STRs?
Potentially. Uxbridge Town Council discussed STR regulation in 2018, particularly concerning impacts on long-term rental housing availability. At that time councillors decided not to act. Given the regional trend (Oshawa and Whitby have regulated; most of Durham is watching closely), expect the Township to revisit the question within the next 1 to 2 years.
What rules apply to Airbnbs in Uxbridge today?
General municipal bylaws apply: property standards, noise, parking, waste collection, fire code compliance (smoke alarms and CO detectors), and zoning. Ontario Building Code applies to any renovations. Condo corporations and cottage association rules can also prohibit STRs where the Township permits them.
Do I need insurance for an Uxbridge Airbnb?
The Township does not require specific insurance, but you absolutely need it. Standard homeowner's insurance almost never covers short-term rental activity. Carry at least $2,000,000 in liability coverage that explicitly covers STR use. Airbnb Host Protection Insurance supplements but does not replace your own policy.
Where are the best places to Airbnb in Uxbridge?
Downtown Uxbridge (historic main street with restaurants and Thomas Foster Memorial Temple), Goodwood, Zephyr, and the Trans Canada Trail corridor all draw STR demand. Equestrian estates north of town serve horse-country tourism. Fall foliage in the Uxbridge oak ridges is a strong seasonal driver. Proximity to Lucky Dog Rescue and Uxbridge Farm & Studio Tour events creates specific weekend demand spikes.
Are STR operations permitted on rural and agricultural land in Uxbridge?
Depends on zoning. Agricultural zones and rural residential zones may restrict non-residential uses. Contact Uxbridge Planning and request a Zoning Certificate before operating an STR on any non-urban property to confirm the use is permitted.
Should I start an Airbnb in Uxbridge before regulations pass?
Yes. Starting now establishes operating history, builds reviews, and positions you for potential grandfathering when new bylaws pass. Every Durham Region municipality that has regulated has given existing operators a transition window to apply for licenses. That window only applies if you're already operating when the bylaw is proposed.
Thinking of starting an Airbnb in Uxbridge?
Uxbridge is one of the last open Durham markets. Nurture helps you launch quickly, optimize pricing for the area's fall foliage and trail-country demand, and build operating history before the Township introduces licensing.
Get a Free Property AssessmentThis summary is for informational purposes only. Uxbridge's regulatory status can change on short notice. Always verify current rules at uxbridge.ca or by contacting the Township at 905-852-9181. HST (13%) and federal tax rules (including the 2024 rule denying deductions on non-compliant STRs) also apply.