Legislation

The Working Group On Short-term Rentals, Government of Nova Scotia, 2018

This report captures early consultations that influenced the acceptance of short-term rentals as part of Nova Scotia tourism and the termination of the Tourism Act which regulated tourist accommodation at the time.

The Tourist Accommodation Registration Act, Bill 101, 2019

The Assessment Act (Amended), Bill 99, 2019

Short-term Rentals in Halifax, 2019  Professor David Wachsmuth et al release the first comprehensive study of the impact of short-term rentals on the HRM housing market.

The Tourist Accommodation Registration Act REGULATIONS, 2020

The Assessment Act REGULATIONS, 2020.  Definition of the tax status of STRs

Nova Scotia: Registration Procedures for Short-term Rentals

HRM Staff Report and Recommendations on Short-term Rentals, September 22, 2020.  The first report on survey results, public and stakeholder consultations, research and recommendations to register and regulate short-term rentals.

A Healthy Nova Scotia: Solutions for Housing and Homelessness, Nova Scotia, 2021.  This report from the newly elected Conservative government recognized that “short-term rentals” were a factor in the housing crisis and encouraged work on regulation.

The Tourist Accommodation Registration Act (Amended), Bill 154, 2022.  This Act and Regulations (see below) now require all short-term rentals to register, require registration numbers to be posted on advertisements, give authority to municipalities to develop their own Land Use Bylaws on short-term rentals. Most important, registration of short-term rentals would require compliance with municipal Land Use Bylaws.

The Tourist Accommodation Registration Act (Amended) Regulations, 2022

HRM Staff Report and Recommendations on Short-term Rentals, December 7, 2022. This report contained information from further consultations, research and surveys and again recommended registering and regulating short-term rentals across the region in residential zones. Only short-term rentals operated by primary residents would be permitted in residential zones. Commercial zones, where hotels were permitted would be open to commercial style short-term rentals. HRM would also initiate a region-wide registration of all rental properties which would help add to the data base on short-term rentals. (See Rental Registry below)

HRM Approves Staff Report and Recommendations on Short-term Rentals, February 21,2023.  See the following link for announcement of decision and guidance to operators and public on the approved short-term rental by-law.

HRM Initiates Region-wide Rental Registry, By-law R400 adopted April 4, 2023.  

All rental properties to register by April 1, 2024.

HRM Initiates 3% Marketing Levy with By-Law M-400, October 1, 2023. Every short-term rental transaction to remit a 3% marketing levy. Province will supply all registration information to HRM.

The Tourist Accommodation Registration Act (Amended), November 9, 2023. This amendment includes changing the name of the Act to the Short-term Rental Registration Act (STRRA), moving ministerial responsibility to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, amending annual registration fees and fines and adding additional enforcement provisions. (As of January 25, 2024 the accompanying Regulations have not been released).

HRM Land Use By-Laws

South Shore Housing Action Coalition:  Action toward regulating short-term rentals in Nova Scotia's south shore

Charlottetown Short-term Rental By-Law effective March 28, 2023.

British Columbia's New Rules for Short-term Rentals effective May 1, 2024.

Toronto Short-term Rental Regulations

Ottawa Short-term Rental Regulations

Calgary Short-term Rental Regulations

Edmonton Short-term Rental Regulations

Changes to the Tourist Accommodations Registry