The comment period for Bluewater’s draft short term rental by-law closes this week.
The proposed by-law is designed to have certain items in mind for protection of renters and neighbours. Some of the items included in the by-law are:
- A parking management plan to ensure that people do not park on streets outside of permitted areas and to prohibit parking on private lots where damage to septic systems could happen.
- A maximum occupancy limit that reflects a maximum number of people per bedroom and/or per dwelling.
- A demerit point system to give negative points to rentals that do not comply with the licensing by-law or other municipal by-laws. If a maximum number of demerit points is reached, the license may be revoked. This will ensure that all municipal by-laws and requirements will be followed within our most vulnerable residential areas.
There is also a requirement that the owner must be able to attend the property within thirty minutes, to dissuade out-of-town ownership.
If you have not yet provided comment and would like to, visit the municipality’s website before August 31.