Oro-Medonte's New Short-Term Rental Licence (2026): What Owners Must Do
Last updated October 2026
Oro-Medonte, on the shores of Lake Simcoe between Barrie and Orillia and home to Horseshoe Valley, now licenses short-term rentals. Council adopted the new by-law in July 2026, the first compliance deadline passed n September 30, and penalty notices started on October 1. If you own a cottage or condo in the township and advertise it for short stays, here is what you need to do now.
Key facts
By-law: No. 2026-078, Short-Term Rental Accommodations and Bed and Breakfast Establishments Licensing By-law
Adopted: July 22, 2026
September 30, 2026: licensed (or applied) or stop advertising
October 1, 2026: administrative penalty notices began
January 30, 2027: properties needing rezoning must be rezoned, or the STR use must stop
Application includes: septic information, fire safety checklist, site and floor plans, insurance proof
Apply: online through Cloudpermit
What the new by-law does
Council unanimously adopted By-law No. 2026-078 at a Special Council meeting on July 22, 2026. According to the Township's notice to owners, it requires that "all STRAs and B&Bs obtain a license from the municipality to operate." Enforcement was delayed to give operators time to apply.
"Commercial" STRAs and the advertising test
The Township's licence focuses on commercial STRAs, defined as STRAs that are advertised on booking platforms, social media or in newspapers. The Township says non-advertised STRAs are legal in residential, agricultural and rural zones where dwellings are permitted and don't need a licence. If you list your property online, assume you need a licence.
Zoning: legal vs. illegal STRAs
This is where Oro-Medonte differs from many other townships. Under Zoning By-law 97-95, the Township says commercial STRAs are permitted only in the Village Resort Commercial (V1) zone and the R2-123 zone. Some Horseshoe-area condominiums are also zoned for commercial short-term accommodation. Commercial accommodation is not a permitted use in residential zones.
"Legal" STRA: your zoning already permits a commercial STRA. You need a licence.
"Illegal" STRA: your zoning doesn't permit it. You need a zoning by-law amendment (rezoning), and then a licence, or you have to stop.
For most waterfront cottages in residential zones, this means a rezoning application, which is a much bigger job than filling out a licence form.
Key deadlines
September 14, 2026: warning notices began for operators advertising without a licence
September 30, 2026: operators with proper zoning had to be licensed or stop advertising. Owners needing rezoning had to apply for rezoning or stop advertising.
October 1, 2026: Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) notices began
October 30, 2026: extended licence deadline for properties where STRAs are already permitted, mainly owners at 90 Highland Drive, with enforcement from November 2
January 30, 2027: properties needing rezoning must be rezoned, or the STRA or B&B use must stop
The Township says operators with a pending licence or rezoning application can keep advertising while it's reviewed. If you missed September 30, apply as soon as you can and stop advertising until you have.
What you need to apply
Applications go through Cloudpermit, and the Township won't review incomplete ones. The Township's checklist includes:
Application checklist and licensing application form
Fire Safety Checklist
Site plan and floor plan drawings (the Township provides examples)
Proof of ownership and property information, plus property management details
Proof of insurance with the rental clause highlighted
Septic system information
A written waste disposal plan for renters
Owner or agent contact details, plus proof of age (18+) or Ontario business registration for corporations
Owner/Licensee Code of Conduct, Renter's Code of Conduct and Responsible Person Acknowledgement
Authorization forms for tenants, co-owners or licensing agents where applicable
Condo owners at 90 Highland Drive also need a condo licensing authorization form, condo floor plans and the parking map. The Township's webpage doesn't list licence fees, so check them when you apply.
How enforcement works
The Township says operating without a licence can lead to charges or a penalty notice under the Municipal Act, and some offences can be charged daily. A third-party service checks 60 to 100 websites for listings and compares them against the licence list, so an unlicensed listing is likely to be found. Residents can report concerns through a 24/7 hotline.
What to do now
Confirm your zoning. Contact the Township or check Zoning By-law 97-95.
If your zoning permits a commercial STRA, submit a complete licence application right away.
If it doesn't, decide whether to pursue rezoning before January 30, 2027, or switch to rentals that aren't advertised short-term or to longer stays.
Update your listings so they don't advertise without a licence or a pending application.
Not sure if rezoning is worth it? Call 705-996-6769 to talk with our local team at Homeseeker Vacation Homes, or see how our cottage rental management works.
Frequently asked questions
When did Oro-Medonte's short-term rental licensing start?
By-law 2026-078 was adopted July 22, 2026. Operators had to be licensed, or apply for rezoning, or stop advertising by September 30, 2026, and penalty notices began October 1, 2026.
Can I rent my residential-zoned cottage on Airbnb in Oro-Medonte?
Commercial (advertised) STRAs are only permitted in certain zones, mainly V1 and R2-123. In other zones you need a rezoning approved by January 30, 2027, or the advertised STR use must stop.
What documents do I need for an Oro-Medonte STR licence?
Among other things: a fire safety checklist, site and floor plans, septic information, proof of insurance with the rental clause highlighted, a waste disposal plan and signed codes of conduct.
Can I keep advertising while my application is reviewed?
Yes. The Township says operators with a pending licence or rezoning application may keep advertising during the review.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Deadlines, zoning and requirements may change, so always confirm with the Township of Oro-Medonte ([email protected]) before you apply or advertise.
