Navigating Dysart et al’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Rules: A Step-by-Step Guide for Cottage Owners 🏡✨

Thinking about renting out your Haliburton Highlands getaway, or buying a property to operate as a Short-Term Rental (STR) in the Municipality of Dysart et al? Municipal By-law 2024-14 requires all STRs operating for under 28 consecutive nights to be fully licensed.

Whether you are an established host or looking to invest in local recreational real estate, understanding these steps keeps your property compliant and protects your investment value. Here is your clear, step-by-step breakdown of what Dysart et al requires, straight from your local real estate expert! 🌲🔑

📑 Step-By-Step Checklist: Getting Your Dysart et al STR Licence

To apply for or renew your annual STR licence ($500 annual fee), you must compile and submit the following core items to the municipal planning department:

1. 📜 Annual Fee & Application

• Cost: $500 annual licence fee per property.

• Validity: Licences are valid for 1 year from issuance and are non-transferable if the property is sold.

2. 🛡️ $2,000,000 Commercial Liability Insurance

• Must provide a certificate of insurance showing a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage per occurrence for bodily injury or property damage.

• The policy must explicitly state that a Short-Term Rental Accommodation operates on the property.

• Must include an endorsement giving the municipality at least 10 days’ written notice of any policy cancellation or alteration.

3. 🗺️ Detailed Site Plan

• Must clearly outline all property boundaries and dimensions.

• Parking Spaces: Show designated parking spots measuring at least 3m x 6m (10ft x 19'8"). You need 1 parking space per approved bedroom/guest room.

• Structures & Utilities: Mark all buildings, decks, patios, docks, wells, and septic systems (tank & filter bed) with distance measurements.

• Shore Road Allowances: Identify any municipally owned Shore Road Allowance (SRA) or public lands. If any portion of your dwelling or structure sits on an unpurchased SRA, you must have an official Licence of Occupation from the municipality.

4. 🧯 Interior Plan for Fire Safety

• Provide a clear floor plan layout for all levels of the cottage and bunkie/sleeping cabin.

• Mark all exits, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

• Mark locations of Class ABC fire extinguishers on every floor, plus a Class ABC or Class K extinguisher in all cooking areas (indoor and outdoor).

5. 📸 Property Photographs

• Include clear photos showing the front and rear of the cottage and any secondary sleeping cabin/bunkie.

6. 🚽 Septic System Proof & Capacity Rules

• Occupancy is capped strictly at 2 persons per bedroom, but total occupancy cannot exceed your approved septic system design capacity. For instance, a 3-bedroom septic allows a maximum of 6 occupants.

• Must submit a Sewage System Installation Report / Use Permit along with a recent septic tank pump-out receipt, OR the results of a recent Municipal Sewage System Inspection.

• Modifications: If you are adding bedrooms or plumbing fixtures, a Septic Review application fee is $250. Decommissioning/reducing bedrooms to match your permit is a $150 review fee.

7. 🗑️ Waste Management & Landfill Passes

• No Curbside Pickup: Dysart et al does not have roadside waste collection. Renters must haul garbage and recycling to local municipal landfills (Haliburton, Harcourt, Kennisis Lake, West Bay, or West Guilford).

• One-Time Landfill Passes ($5.00 each): Owners must provide guests with $5 One-Time Landfill Passes. Each pass covers up to 3 clear garbage bags and unlimited sorted recycling (Containers vs. Papers).

• In-Cottage Posters: Owners must display official waste sorting and landfill location posters above designated recycling/garbage bins.

8. 📌 In-Cottage Guest Postings & Emergency Contact

Must prominently post the following inside the rental:

• Copy of current STR Licence & Site Plan

• Property address & road access type (public year-round, seasonal, private, or water access).

• Emergency Disclaimer: If access is not a year-round public road, post: "Due to this Short-Term Rental Premises not being accessible by a year-round maintained public road, emergency response times may be delayed to this location."

• Contact info for the owner or a designated Responsible Person who can respond to urgent concerns within 60 minutes and attend the site within 24 hours.

• Renter’s Code of Conduct and Municipal Noise By-law copy.

🚫 Key Prohibitions to Remember

• No Unlicensed Marketing: You cannot market or list an STR without including your valid licence number on all listings and invoices.

• Prohibited Structures: STRs are not permitted in RVs, trailers, tents, boats/houseboats, accessory dwelling units (ADUs / secondary suites), or unpermitted structures on shore road allowances.

• No Special Events: Renting out the property for events like weddings, commercial parties, or large reunions is strictly prohibited under an STR licence.

• Demerit Points & Fines: Violations accrue demerit points (3 points within 3 years results in a 6 to 12-month licence suspension). Fines for non-compliance range up to $50,000 for a first offence.

📈 How This Affects Local Real Estate & Market Values

The implementation of Dysart et al’s STR licensing framework has created distinct shifts across our local waterfront and recreational property market:

1. Turnkey Compliant Cottages Command a Premium: Properties that already possess an approved STR licence,fully compliant septic systems, ample parking, and clear land titles (such as purchased Shore Road Allowances) are highly sought after. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for "plug-and-play" investment potential without licensing delays.

2. Septic & Shoreline Due Diligence is Critical: Waterfront buyers are placing far greater emphasis on septic inspection reports and Shore Road Allowance status during negotiations. Unpurchased shore road allowances where structures sit, or undersized septic systems, can limit rental income potential and impact valuation.

3. Neighbourhood Stability & Property Values: By curbing overcrowded rentals, noise disturbances, and improper waste disposal, the regulations help preserve the tranquility of our lake communities. Strong, well-maintained neighbourhoods foster healthier long-term market appreciation for all cottagers and homeowners.

Navigating municipal regulations, septic permits, and shoreline titles can feel overwhelming, but having local knowledge on your side makes all the difference!

Brad Sinclair-705-927-6236