Whitchurch-Stouffville licenses short-term rentals under By-law 2024-049-LI, approved May 1, 2024. The license costs $1,116 per year, making it one of the more expensive STR licenses in the GTA. The Town enforces occupancy and safety limits through the Ontario Building and Fire Codes rather than a flat guest cap.
Every rule below comes from the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville's official short-term rentals page.
Quick Summary
The Bylaw: 2024-049-LI
Whitchurch-Stouffville first introduced STR licensing in April 2022. The framework was replaced and updated in 2024 with By-law 2024-049-LI, approved May 1, 2024. The 2024 bylaw reorganized the licensing structure, updated fees, and clarified the Responsible Person requirement.
The bylaw defines a short-term rental as "the use of a Dwelling Unit or part of a Dwelling Unit for temporary overnight Guest accommodation for a period of not more than 28 consecutive days." Rentals beyond 28 days are not STRs under the bylaw.
The program is administered by the Town's Municipal Law Enforcement Services. Licenses are issued annually and must be renewed each year.
License Fee and Terms
The license fee of $1,116 covers a one-year term. This is notably higher than Oshawa ($150), Georgina ($550 initial), and Aurora (Schedule L fees). The higher fee reflects the Town's cost-recovery model for inspections, enforcement, and administrative processing.
Renewal is annual and the license number issued at approval must be displayed:
- Prominently at the property (typically inside the entrance or on a visible sign)
- On all marketing materials including every Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listing
- On any printed advertising or promotional materials
Listings without a license number displayed are at risk of platform takedown at the Town's request and direct bylaw enforcement.
Operating Requirements
Beyond the license itself, operators must meet the following conditions throughout the license year:
- Maximum occupancy limits per the Ontario Building Code and Fire Code. The Town publishes a list of licensed STRs with assigned occupancy ranging from 3 to 10 based on property specifics. Occupancy is not a flat number across all properties.
- Safety equipment fully compliant with the Ontario Fire Code (smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, clear exits).
- Annual renewal with the current $1,116 fee.
- License display at property and on all ads.
- Responsible Person availability for complaint response.
Responsible Person Rule
Every licensed STR must appoint a Responsible Person. This is a designated individual, either the owner or a delegated property manager, responsible for:
- Handling day-to-day management of the STR
- Responding to complaints and emergencies
- Communicating with the Town on bylaw and licensing matters
- Ensuring compliance throughout the license term
The Responsible Person's contact information is typically provided to the Town as part of the license application. For remote owners, this effectively requires hiring a local property manager or property manager who can respond within reasonable time frames.
Safety Compliance
Safety compliance flows primarily through the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code. Specific requirements include:
- Smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every level
- CO alarms near fuel-burning appliances and attached garages
- Fire extinguishers minimum 5-pound ABC on every level, readily accessible
- Emergency exits unobstructed and functional
- Maximum occupancy based on legal bedrooms and egress capacity (not on discretionary caps)
An inspection by the Town may be part of the initial license approval and subsequent renewals. Failing the inspection triggers corrective orders and can delay or deny the license.
Enforcement
Municipal Law Enforcement Services at the Town handles enforcement. Contact 905-640-1910 extension 2229 or bylaw@townofws.ca. Enforcement activities include:
- Proactive monitoring of Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings for addresses within Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Verification that license numbers match valid active licenses
- Response to complaints (noise, parking, overcrowding, unauthorized events)
- Coordination with booking platforms for listing takedowns of non-compliant properties
Operating without a license, exceeding occupancy, or failing to designate a Responsible Person are all separate offenses subject to fines under the bylaw. The Town has published examples of enforcement actions including fines and license revocations since the 2022 framework.
How to Host Legally in Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Contact Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-640-1910 ext. 2229 to confirm the current application package and principal residence status for your situation.
- Obtain STR-endorsed $2M liability insurance.
- Ensure safety compliance with smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguishers, and clear exits.
- Designate a Responsible Person and document their availability.
- Submit the license application with the $1,116 fee.
- Schedule any required inspection through the Town.
- Display your license number prominently at the property and on every listing.
- Renew annually before expiry to avoid gap in operations.
Condo and Subdivision Overrides
Many Stouffville condo corporations and newer subdivision agreements explicitly prohibit short-term rentals in their governing documents. The Town license does not override these private restrictions. Check your condo declaration, HOA rules, or subdivision agreement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to Airbnb in Whitchurch-Stouffville?
Yes. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville requires every short-term rental operator to hold a valid STR Operator License under By-law 2024-049-LI (approved May 1, 2024). The license fee is $1,116. Operating without a license is a bylaw offense.
Does Stouffville's STR bylaw require principal residence?
The original 2022 bylaw required principal residence. The updated 2024 bylaw reorganized the licensing framework. Contact Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-640-1910 ext. 2229 to confirm the current principal residence requirement for your application, as the Town's published framework has evolved.
How much is the Whitchurch-Stouffville STR license?
$1,116 per year under By-law 2024-049-LI. This is one of the higher STR license fees in the GTA, reflecting the Town's cost recovery model for inspections and enforcement. Renewal is annual.
What is the STR definition in Stouffville?
A short-term rental is the use of a dwelling unit (or part of one) for temporary overnight guest accommodation for a period of not more than 28 consecutive days. Rentals of 29+ days fall outside the STR definition and are treated under the Residential Tenancies Act.
How many guests can stay in a Stouffville STR?
Maximum occupancy varies by licensed property. Published records of licensed STRs show occupancy ranges from 3 to 10 guests depending on the property. Occupancy is set based on Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code limits for the specific dwelling, not a flat cap across all properties.
Does the STR license number need to be displayed?
Yes. Operators must display the license prominently at the property AND post the license number on all marketing and advertising materials. This includes Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and any other platform listing.
What is the Responsible Person requirement?
Every licensed STR must have a designated Responsible Person appointed to handle property management and respond to complaints or emergencies. The Responsible Person can be the owner or a property manager, but must be available to respond. This is enforced through the license terms.
What safety standards must a Stouffville STR meet?
The property must comply with the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code. This typically includes working smoke alarms in every sleeping area, carbon monoxide alarms near fuel-burning appliances and attached garages, working fire extinguishers (typically 5-pound ABC minimum), unobstructed exits, and maximum occupancy limits based on legal bedrooms.
How do I report a problem STR in Stouffville?
Contact Bylaw Enforcement at 905-640-1910 extension 2229 or email bylaw@townofws.ca. Common complaints investigated include noise, parking, overcrowding, unauthorized events, and operation without a valid license. The Town proactively monitors Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings.
How is the Whitchurch-Stouffville STR bylaw changing?
The 2024 bylaw (2024-049-LI) replaced the initial 2022 framework, introducing updated fees, clearer licensing terms, and revised inspection requirements. Expect the framework to continue evolving as the Town calibrates enforcement. Check the Town's STR page for updates before renewing your license.
Thinking about an Airbnb in Stouffville?
Between the $1,116 license, safety compliance, and Responsible Person requirement, Stouffville is one of the more administratively intense GTA markets. Nurture handles the full license application, inspection coordination, and Responsible Person duty for owners who prefer to focus on income, not paperwork.
Get a Free Property AssessmentThis summary is for informational purposes only. By-law 2024-049-LI is subject to amendment and fee schedules change periodically. Always verify current rules and fees at townofws.ca or by contacting Municipal Law Enforcement at 905-640-1910 extension 2229. HST and federal tax rules also apply.