What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?

Short Term Rentals (STRs) include renting a private room in a home, an entire home, a seasonal property like a cottage, or any other space when rented for 30 days or less. STRs do not include established accommodations such as bed and breakfasts, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds.

Who To Call To Complain about a STR?

  • Selwyn Township By-Law Enforcement: 705-292-9507 (Monday to Friday; 8:30AM to 4:30PM)
  • Selwyn Fire Department: 705-292-7282 (Monday to Friday; 8:30AM to 4:30PM)
  • O.P.P. (Smith & Ennismore Wards): 1-888-310-1122 (non-emergency 24/7)
  • Peterborough Police Service (Lakefield Ward): 705-876-1122 (non-emergency 24/7)
  • Peterborough Humane Society: 705-745-4722 ext. 202
    • After hours emergencies: 705-745-7676 ext. 656

In addition to By-Law Enforcement, Police, and Security Services, the Township has implemented inspection fees. Fees are intended to be charged against a property owner when enforcement personnel attend the site to respond to ongoing matters.

If you are experiencing several By-Law violations, reporting to the appropriate authority is especially important. After the police attend, submit a complaint form to the township online or in person. An enforcement working group has been set up that consists of Public Health, Police Services, Fire Services, and Peterborough Humane Society staff where complaints received from our ratepayers are shared amongst the group, and if By-Law infractions can be confirmed we start the enforcement protocol. The first confirmed violation results in a letter of infraction being issued to the property owner outlining the enforcement protocol. Subsequently, verified infractions are accompanied by an inspection fee starting at $500.00 for the second confirmed violation within a year; and increasing by $500.00 for each confirmed violation thereafter.

By-law Inspection Fees

Short Term Rental property owners are encouraged to be active hosts in ensuring that their guests enjoy an excellent stay in the Township of Selwyn and that their neighbours maintain an excellent quality of life.

Please remember that Short Term Rental operators can be held accountable for the actions of their guests. If a Municipal By-law is broken, By-law fines can be charged to the individuals who violated the regulation, and inspection fees can be charged to the property owner when enforcement personnel attend the site to respond to ongoing matters.

"What you Need to Know"

Before registering a complaint regarding a By-law or Property Standards matter, it is important to understand the rules surrounding various activities/By-laws:

 Open Air Burning
  • During a Burn Ban, there is no open air burning. Burning conditions can change at any time. Residents must verify the current conditions prior to burning. To do this, please call the Fire Department at 705-292-7282 or check:
  • There is no open air burning in ‘built-up’ areas, which includes the Villages of Lakefield and Bridgenorth, Hamlets of Ennismore, Young’s Point and Woodland Acres.
  • Fires must be supervised by an adult at all times.
  • There must be an extinguishing agent located nearby (ie. water hose, water bucket, etc.).
  • Fires must be fully extinguished after use.
  • Smoke cannot disrupt neighbouring properties.
  • Fires must be located at least 100 feet (30 m) from a building, structure, etc.
  • Fire pits cannot exceed 2 feet (61 cm) in diameter.

Noise
  • Excessive noise disturbs your neighbours, particularly over waterbodies where the noise carries.
  • Noise from loud music, yelling, shouting or pets barking disturbs your neighbours – Be Respectful!
  • Be a good neighbour and remember you can be charged at any time of the day in the event you are creating noise that is disruptive to others.
  • If you experience disturbing/excessive noise, report to the appropriate police service. Contact information is noted above.

Fireworks
  • Fireworks at individual properties can generate unwanted noise, and disturb pets and wild life.

Pets
  • All pets must be under the care and control of the owners and they cannot roam at large onto other properties.
  • Keep pets on a leash or tether.
  • Your pet’s waste is your responsibility.

Speeding/Careless Driving/Parking

Parking

  • All parking should occur entirely on your property (no parking on grass).
  • If you need to park on the road do not block your neighbour’s entrance, park on one-side of the road only and make sure the parking is temporary. The road is not a permanent parking solution.
  • Do not park where No Parking zones are designated.

Speeding/Careless Driving (emergency)

  • Residents that witness speeding/careless driving that is posing an immediate threat to the public are asked to contact 911.

Speeding/Careless Driving (non-emergency)

  • Residents can contact the Police directly to report a non-emergency incident using the contact information above.

Property Standards

Property standards set out the minimum standards for building and property maintenance within the municipality.

  • Grass is not to exceed 6 inches (15 cm) in height.
  • Garbage and recycling are to be properly contained in containers to avoid attracting nuisance animals and generating odour, etc.
  • The Township has curbside garbage (2 bag limit) and recycling collection every week.

We recommend you first speak directly with the property owner where you have an issue.

Resources - Information Sheets & By-laws

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