New Council, Same Rules (for Now): What Muskoka Cottage Owners Should Do Before November 15
Muskoka voted on Monday, October 26. According to the unofficial results each of Muskoka's six area municipalities posted after the polls closed, voters chose mayors in Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Georgian Bay and Lake of Bays, while Peter Kelley was acclaimed as Mayor of Muskoka Lakes.
If you rent out your cottage, here's the honest version of what happens next: on November 15, nothing about your licence changes. The by-laws you're operating under today are the by-laws you'll be operating under tomorrow. A new council doesn't erase existing by-laws. They stay in force until a council votes to amend or repeal them.
What a new council can do is set the agenda for the next four years. So this is a good week to get organised, not to panic.
The key dates
From the District of Muskoka's 2026 municipal election page:
October 26, 2026: voting day
November 15, 2026: the new term of office begins
District Chair: under the Province's Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has announced an intention to appoint the Muskoka District Chair, rather than the Chair being chosen locally
Who was elected: Muskoka results by municipality
These are the unofficial results posted by each municipality on its own election page. Each Clerk certifies the final results after election night, so check the linked page for the certified version.
Municipality | Mayor | Council |
|---|---|---|
Rick Maloney | District Councillors: Brenda Rhodes, Don Smith, Tatiana Sutherland. Ward Councillors: Debbie Vernon (Bracebridge), Barry Hammond (Monck/Muskoka, acclaimed), Donna Kearney (Macaulay), Cindy Waters (Draper), Barb McMurray (Oakley, acclaimed). | |
Jeff Watson | District Councillors: Sandy Cairns, Penny Varney, Jaden Hollingshead. Ward Councillors: Heidi Welker (Ward 1), David Kellam (Ward 2), Carol Ann LeMoine (Ward 3), Randy Jorgensen (Ward 4, acclaimed), Tina Kilbourne (Ward 5). | |
Scott Morrison | District and Town Councillors: Bob Stone, Helena Renwick, James Bowler. Ward Councillors: Karin Terziano and Geordie Sabbagh (Wards 1 and 2), Jason FitzGerald and Dione Schumacher (Wards 3, 4 and 5), Michael Ankenmann (Ward 6). | |
Peter Koetsier | District Councillors: Laurie Russell (Wards 1 and 3), Rod Northey (Wards 2 and 4, acclaimed). Ward Councillors: Steven Predko (Ward 1, acclaimed), Stephen Jarvis (Ward 2, acclaimed), Kristian Graziano (Ward 3, acclaimed), Darren Demera (Ward 4). | |
Matt Young | District Councillors: Rick Brooks (Franklin/Sinclair), Robert Lacroix (Ridout/McLean, acclaimed). Ward Councillors: Linda Boothby (Franklin), Sarah Roberts (Sinclair/Finlayson, acclaimed), George Anderson (Ridout), Michael Mahovlich (McLean). | |
Peter Kelley (acclaimed) | District and Township Councillors: Glenn Zavitz (Ward A), Susan Mazan (Ward B, acclaimed), Guy Burry (Ward C). Township Councillors: Rick Flannigan and Leslie Orchard (Ward A), Gordon Roberts and Allen Edwards (Ward B), Rob Bosomworth and Pam Jeffery (Ward C). |
Results as posted by each municipality as of October 27, 2026 at 8:45 AM Toronto time. These are unofficial until certified by each Clerk.
What doesn't change on November 15
Your licence. If you hold a short-term rental licence, it stays valid on its current terms until it expires or is changed under the by-law.
Your obligations. Occupancy limits, parking, noise, garbage, fire safety and posting requirements in your current licence and by-law still apply.
Your renewal date. Elections don't move it. Know when yours is.
If your cottage is in Muskoka Lakes
A few things worth knowing from the Township's own pages:
The Township's Short Term Rental Accommodation Licensing By-law 2025-049 is in effect, and an STRA licence is required for rentals of 28 days or less.
The Township says operators automatically receive a Notice of Renewal by email 60 days before the licence expires. Make sure that email goes somewhere you actually read.
Since March 31, 2026, the Township has offered a 24/7 hotline and online form for STRA concerns, plus an interactive map of licensed rentals. The by-law requires operators to have a responsible person nearby to help address issues as they occur.
In its October 2026 council highlights, the Township reported on a Noise Exemption Permit created by the new Noise By-law 2026-069. If your guests plan anything louder than a campfire singalong, read the noise rules first.
If your cottage is elsewhere in Muskoka
Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Georgian Bay and Lake of Bays each set their own rules. Start with your municipality's website, find the short-term rental or by-law page, and bookmark the council agendas page. Our top cottage owner questions for 2026 covers the questions we hear most.
Five things to do before the new term starts
Find your licence and note the expiry date. Put the renewal on your calendar now.
Re-read your licence conditions. Occupancy, parking, septic, noise and posting rules. Make sure your listing and house rules match.
Confirm your local contact. If your by-law requires a responsible person nearby, make sure that person knows they're it, and that their number is current.
Subscribe to council updates. Most municipalities post agendas and highlights online. Ten minutes a month keeps you ahead of changes.
Know who your councillor is. Find your ward in the results table above. A polite introduction now beats a first conversation during a complaint.
Want help keeping your cottage rental compliant and running smoothly under the new council? Call 705-996-6769.
Muskoka municipal election 2026: quick answers
When does the new Muskoka council take office?
The new term of office begins November 15, 2026, according to the District of Muskoka.
Will short-term rental rules change after the election?
Existing by-laws stay in force until a council changes them. Any change would go through the council process, so watch agendas and highlights from your municipality.
Who appoints the Muskoka District Chair?
Under the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has announced an intention to appoint the District Chair.
