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Kingston council defers decision on cost of tickets for short-term rental regulations

Kingston city council voted to delay a decision on how much to fine those not complying with short-term rental licensing in the city. A decision will be made next month. Global News

Tuesday, Kingston council deferred its decision on how much to charge those who defy short-term rental regulations.

Several months ago, the city instituted a licensing system that would require hosts using programs like Airbnb to license their rental property.

A quick search of a site like Airbnb shows more than 200 properties available to rent short-term, but so far, only 44 owners have actually applied for a licence from the city, and only half have received one.

The licence itself only costs $180 a year, but currently, those in violation of the short-term licensing regulations could face fines under the Provincial Offences Act that run from $500 to $10,000 a day, and could mean a trip to court at a cost to the taxpayer.

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Tuesday night, council discussed instituting a much lower set fine for violations under the new city bylaw that could be paid just like most other tickets issued by the city, without a trip to court.

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Staff originally recommended that these violations run between $250 and $500.

Council voted to defer the matter until early November to give staff the opportunity to look into exactly how much those set fines should be.

Click to play video: 'City of Kingston looks to amend short-term rental bylaw'
City of Kingston looks to amend short-term rental bylaw

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