🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Oro-Medonte, Canada
After two years of appeals, Oro-Medonte township nears resolution on STR policies.
Oro-Medonte's Short-Term Rental Rules Head to Tribunal
The waiting game might finally be over. When Oro-Medonte's Official Plan got approved over two years ago, it triggered five appeals focused on short-term rental policies. Three appeals remain, settlement agreements are signed, and a virtual tribunal hearing is scheduled for February 12.
Oro-Medonte's Short Term Rental Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast Establishments Licensing
Here's why this matters: Oro-Medonte currently has zero Official Plan policy for short-term rentals, making consistent decisions nearly impossible. Development director Brent Spagnol emphasized that resolving these appeals creates "a policy foundation" for future STR decisions.
The revised policies define short-term rentals (anything under 28 days), recognize where advertised STRs can operate, and separate commercial hotels from residential vacation rentals. Properties advertising through online platforms need specific regulations, and condo-managed rentals get treated differently than individual operations.
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Township officials chose settlement over expensive contested hearings. Through confidential discussions, they negotiated revised policies that all parties agreed to sign. Settlement documents are with the tribunal.
The February hearing requires planning evidence demonstrating these policies represent sound planning. Township staff will make that case for tribunal approval.
'Important step': Oro-Medonte short-term rental policies head to tribunal https://t.co/KdPsDexCk3
— OrilliaMatters.com (@orilliamatters) January 18, 2026
New rules require advertised short-term rentals to get site-specific rezoning, with council evaluating community impact, parking, services, and shoreline protection. Licensing and fire regulations provide additional oversight.
Beyond the tribunal process, Oro-Medonte is developing a Municipal Licensing By-law to address enforcement challenges. The township presented a draft licensing framework in February 2025. Following public consultation and council reviews last 2025, the revised bylaw is moving forward to regulate legal STRAs and B&Bs while penalizing non-compliance. Together with the Official Plan policies, this creates a complete regulatory system for short-term rentals.
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