Global Regulatory Notes (5)

Keep a pulse on global regulatory trends. Featuring critical updates and recent news on short-term rental policies around the world, we highlight key developments shaping the industry. 🌐

Canada

British Columbia

Short-term rental operators in Central Saanich face uncertainty as provincial regulations require all hosts to register by May 1, 2025.

However, the municipality’s current zoning bylaws prohibit rentals under 30 days, meaning STRs remain illegal unless local rules change. Council is considering an amendment to the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw, but the process could take time.

Muskoka Lakes, Ontario

The Township’s Planning Committee has recommended amendments to the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Licensing By-law to address implementation delays.

If approved in April, the revised schedule will allow all operators to continue renting without a license through 2025 with license applications due by December 31, 2025. Summer rental restrictions will remain but will not take effect until May 1, 2026. The Township is also working to resolve technical issues with the online application portal, with further updates expected upon its launch.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal's city council has approved a new bylaw that limits short-term rentals to the summer tourism season, specifically from June to September.

Under this regulation, homeowners renting their properties on platforms like Airbnb must display permit numbers on their listings and prominently show them outside the building. The law also mandates annual permit renewals and imposes escalating fines, starting at $1,000 for first-time violations.

Tiny Township, Ontario

Tiny Township has reported a significant decline in short-term rental violations over the past few years. Complaints about such properties peaked in 2022 with 39 cases, decreased to 15 in 2023, and further dropped to 12 complaints in 2024.

The fourth-quarter report for 2024 highlighted only a handful of issues, including three unlicensed properties and one advertisement violation. The township issued 157 short-term rental licenses in 2024, with 80 more approved in the first months of 2025.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s city government is tightening short-term rental rules in the city center and De Pijp neighborhoods reducing the annual rental limit from 30 days to 15 starting in April 2026, pending City Council approval.

This measure builds on previous regulations to curb over-tourism and minimize disruptions in residential areas. If issues persist, the city may implement a three-year ban on holiday rental permits in high-impact neighborhoods as part of its "Holiday Rental Escalation Ladder" approach. A final decision on the policy is expected by December 2025 after public consultations.

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg has introduced stricter regulations for short-term rentals, known as "Aktion scharf," in response to growing concerns about the housing crisis and unaffordable rents.

Under these new rules, properties listed on platforms like Airbnb must be registered and approved for tourist use, with legal short-term rentals now restricted to certain agricultural buildings and properties approved before 2018. The city has expanded its investigative team and imposed significant fines, totaling €168,000 in 2024, for non-compliance.

Barcelona, Spain

Spain's Constitutional Court has upheld a proposal to ban all holiday rentals for tourists in Barcelona by November 2028.

This ruling paves the way for the city to revoke over 10,000 tourism licenses, part of a broader effort to address the city's housing affordability crisis. The ban will target entire homes and apartments, with the aim of combating high rental prices and supporting more affordable housing.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

HCM City’s recent ban on using residential apartments for short-term tourism rentals is causing uncertainty for renters and owners alike.

The regulation aims to address concerns over security and amenity strain in condominiums. While property owners can still register as businesses and pay taxes, the rule raises questions about whether rentals must be in designated officetels or mixed-use buildings.

🌐 Emerging Global Trends

Cities worldwide are adjusting to the changing short-term rental (STR) market by enforcing stricter regulations, fine-tuning policies, and tackling national issues to ensure a balance between community welfare, and neighborhood preservation.

What this means:

📒 Regulatory Uncertainty and Delays in Licensing: Across various regions, short-term rental (STR) operators are facing uncertainty due to delayed or evolving regulations. For instance, in Central Saanich, British Columbia, operators are required to register by May 2025, but local zoning bylaws prohibit rentals under 30 days, creating a conflict unless amendments are made. Similarly, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, is proposing a delayed licensing process with a revised schedule that allows operators to continue renting without a license until 2025, reflecting the trend of municipalities grappling with the timing and logistics of enforcing new rules.

🏡 Stricter Regulations to Address Housing and Tourism Impact: Cities like Salzburg, Austria, and Barcelona, Spain, are tightening short-term rental rules as a response to growing housing affordability crises. Salzburg has restricted rentals to specific properties and increased fines for non-compliance, while Barcelona has upheld a ban on all holiday rentals by 2028 to address soaring rental prices. Similarly, Amsterdam is reducing rental limits in certain neighborhoods to 15 days annually to curb over-tourism and maintain residential integrity.

🏨 Focus on Compliance and Enforcement: Municipalities are enhancing enforcement and compliance efforts to ensure that short-term rental regulations are followed. In Montreal, new bylaws require property owners to display permit numbers on listings and outside buildings, with escalating fines for violations. Tiny Township in Ontario, on the other hand, has seen a significant reduction in short-term rental complaints, indicating the success of licensing and enforcement initiatives. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City’s new ban on residential apartments for tourism rentals reflects growing efforts to address security and community concerns through regulatory clarity.