Gatineau Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Gatineau

If you plan to rent out your property as a short-term rental in Gatineau, you will need to obtain a permit and register your property before listing it on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. The regulations are established by the Quebec Tourism Ministry and the City of Gatineau.

According to the regulations, hosts must meet certain requirements, such as obtaining liability insurance and paying a fee. Hosts must also comply with zoning regulations and not exceed the maximum number of nights that a property can be rented out per year.

As of 2023, there are an estimated 747 active short-term rentals in Gatineau. Entire homes make up 71% of listings, with 1-2 bedroom units being the most popular. On average, hosts earn around $1,069 per month with a daily rate of $94.The short-term rental market in Gatineau has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing tourism to the National Capital Region and a shortage of traditional hotel rooms. In 2019, short-term rental reservations increased by 24% year-over-year, with over 100,000 nights booked. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary dip in 2020, but the market has since rebounded strongly.

However, this rapid growth has not been without controversy. Concerns about the impact on housing affordability and availability, as well as quality of life issues for long-term residents, led the city to implement the current regulatory framework in 2022. The goal is to allow short-term rentals to operate while mitigating negative community impacts and protecting the housing supply.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Gatineau

Hosts in Gatineau must obtain a permit and register their property prior to listing it on any short-term rental platform. Failure to secure the necessary permits and registration may result in fines or other penalties. It's crucial for hosts to ensure they are operating legally and have obtained the required permits before renting out their property.

The permit application process involves locating the necessary bylaws and submitting the license application. Working with an experienced short-term rental management company can help navigate the complex licensing requirements.

Prior to the current regulations being implemented in 2022, there were an estimated 1,236 dedicated short-term rentals operating in Gatineau. One year after the rules took effect, there are only 2 permitted dedicated STRs and 23 permitted cottage rentals. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the permit system in returning housing stock to long-term use.

The city has set up an online portal for hosts to apply for permits and renew their registration annually. The portal also allows neighbors to look up whether a particular property is licensed for short-term rentals and report any suspected illegal listings.

Random audits are conducted to ensure compliance with the permit conditions, such as the requirement to have the permit number displayed on all listings. Violators may face fines of up to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for corporations.

Required Documents for Gatineau Short Term Rentals

When applying for a short-term rental permit in Gatineau, hosts must provide:

• Proof of ownership
• A certificate of insurance with at least $1 million liability coverage
• A waste disposal plan
• Site drawings

The city will also inspect the property to ensure it meets fire code and other regulations. The yearly permit fee is $500 for a primary residence and $750 for a secondary residence.

Hosts must also provide 24/7 contact information to the city and to guests in case any issues arise. A local contact person is required if the host does not reside within 100km of the property.

The waste disposal plan must detail how the host will manage garbage and recycling, as short-term guests may not be familiar with local collection schedules and procedures. This is to prevent overflowing bins and litter from negatively impacting the neighborhood.

Site drawings are required to show the layout of the property, including parking spaces, outdoor amenity areas, and the location of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. This helps the city ensure the property is suitable and safe for short-term rental use.

Gatineau Short Term Rental Taxes

Short-term rental operators in Gatineau must collect and remit taxes:

• The 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) must be collected and paid to the city monthly
• Depending on income level, hosts may need to register for and remit the GST/HST

It's advisable for hosts to consult local government resources or a tax professional for the most current tax obligations. Taxes collected contribute significantly to funding city services and infrastructure.

Hosts who work in Ottawa but live in Gatineau need to be especially careful about their tax filings. While payroll deductions will be based on Ontario's rates, the host will owe tax to Quebec based on their residency. This may result in a tax bill at filing time to make up the difference between the provinces' rates.

The MAT applies to all short-term accommodations of less than 31 consecutive days. This includes rentals through online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, as well as traditional B&Bs and vacation rentals.

Hosts are responsible for collecting the MAT from guests and remitting it to the city. The tax is calculated on the total price paid by the guest, excluding the GST/HST. Hosts must register with the city and file monthly returns, even if no tax was collected in a particular month.

Failure to collect and remit the MAT can result in penalties and interest charges. The city may also revoke a host's short-term rental permit for non-compliance with tax obligations.

Gatineau wide Short Term Rental Rules

Key rules for short-term rentals in Gatineau include:

• Rentals are allowed in the host's primary residence in urban areas and villages
• In rural areas, rentals are permitted in cottages, secondary suites, or coach houses
• A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per bedroom, up to 10 guests total
• Hosts must have liability insurance of at least $1 million
• Hosts can only advertise on city-recognized platforms and must display their permit number
• There are limits on the number of nights per year a property can be rented short-term

The city has also implemented temporary zoning amendments for a 3-year trial period to facilitate the new rules. These establish areas where STRs are allowed and set limits on the number of guest rooms, consistent with bed and breakfast limits in most zones (typically 3 bedrooms).

In urban residential zones, STRs are only permitted in the host's primary residence. This means the host must live in the unit for at least 6 months per year. The goal is to prevent investor-owned STRs from taking housing off the long-term rental market.

In rural areas, STRs are allowed in cottages and secondary suites in addition to primary residences. This recognizes the traditional role of cottage rentals in these areas and the lower risk of impacting housing supply.

The limit on rental nights varies by property type. Primary residences can be rented up to 180 nights per year, while rural cottages have no annual limit. Secondary suites are capped at 90 nights to ensure they remain a source of long-term housing.

Hosts must keep records of all short-term rental activity, including the number of nights rented, and provide them to the city upon request. This allows the city to monitor compliance with the annual limits.

Other rules include a ban on exterior signage advertising the short-term rental, and a requirement to provide guests with information on local bylaws related to noise, parking, and waste disposal. Hosts are responsible for ensuring their guests follow these rules.

Does Gatineau strictly enforce STR rules?

Based on discussions in online forums, it appears Gatineau does enforce its short-term rental regulations, though perhaps not as strictly as some other major cities in Canada. The city estimates overall permit compliance is in the 70-85% range after the first year of the new rules being implemented.

However, some hosts still attempt to operate dedicated short-term rentals illicitly. The city is actively investigating these properties and working to bring them into compliance. Compared to the over 1200 dedicated short-term rentals operating before the regulations, current data shows only 2 permitted and fewer than 200 suspected of operating illegally, demonstrating the effectiveness of the rules in returning housing inventory to long-term use.

While Gatineau may not be as heavy-handed in enforcement as some cities, the regulations do have teeth and the city is committed to upholding them. Hosts should make every effort to follow the rules. That said, short-term rentals can still be very profitable in Gatineau compared to long-term tenants for those operating legally.

The city has a dedicated enforcement team that monitors short-term rental listings and investigates complaints. They use data scraping tools to identify illegal listings and cross-reference them with permit records.

Violators are first issued a warning and given a chance to come into compliance. If the illegal activity continues, the city can issue fines, revoke permits, and even pursue legal action. In egregious cases, such as properties with repeated noise and nuisance complaints, the city has worked with platforms like Airbnb to have the listing removed entirely.

However, with limited resources, the city tends to focus enforcement efforts on the most problematic properties and those with a history of complaints. Hosts who follow the rules and are respectful of their neighbors are unlikely to face significant scrutiny.

Some hosts have expressed frustration with the permit process, arguing that the fees are too high and the paperwork is overly burdensome. Others feel the occupancy limits are too restrictive and make it difficult to rent larger properties.

However, many also acknowledge that the regulations are a reasonable compromise that allows short-term rentals to continue while addressing valid community concerns. By cracking down on illegal hotels and party houses, the rules aim to protect the character of residential neighborhoods and the quality of life for long-term residents.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Gatineau

• Research the regulations and ensure your property is eligible for short-term rental use in its current zoning.
• Prepare your property for guests, ensuring it meets all safety requirements and is equipped with necessary amenities.
• Obtain required liability insurance of at least $1 million.
• Prepare supporting documentation for your permit application, including proof of ownership, a waste disposal plan, and site drawings.
• Apply for a short-term rental permit from the city and pay the applicable fee ($500 for primary residence, $750 for secondary residence).
• Schedule the city's fire and safety inspection of your property.
• Once your permit is approved, create listings on permitted platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, making sure to include your permit number.
• Set up a system for collecting and remitting the 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax on a monthly basis.
• Register for GST/HST with the CRA if you expect to earn over $30,000 annually from your short-term rental business.
• Ensure you have a reliable cleaning and maintenance plan in place to prepare the property between guests.
• Establish house rules and communicate local bylaws to guests to ensure responsible use of your property.
• Keep accurate records of your rental activity, including number of nights rented, prices charged, and taxes collected.
• Renew your short-term rental permit annually and ensure you continue to follow all applicable regulations, including limits on rental nights per year.
• Consider working with a short-term rental management company to handle permitting, compliance, guest communication, and day-to-day operations.

For hosts who work in Ottawa but live in Gatineau, consult an accountant to properly handle the tax implications of living and working in different provinces.

Who to contact in Gatineau about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

For the most up-to-date information on short-term rental rules in Gatineau, hosts should contact:

Service de l'urbanisme et du développement durable
Ville de Gatineau
urbanisme@gatineau.ca
819-243-2345, option 7Hosts can also consult with a short-term rental management company like MasterHost for assistance navigating the licensing process and ensuring compliance with all regulations.

The city's website also has a section dedicated to short-term rentals, with information on the permit application process, applicable bylaws, and frequently asked questions.

What do Airbnb hosts in Gatineau on Reddit and Bigger Pockets think about local regulations?

There is limited discussion specifically about Gatineau's short-term rental regulations on these forums. However, some key takeaways from hosts in Ottawa, which has a similar regulatory regime5:

• The permit process is straightforward but hosts need to be diligent about compliance
• Hiring a short-term rental management company can help navigate the rules
• Despite the regulations, short-term rentals can still be very profitable compared to long-term tenants
• It's crucial to ensure you are operating legally to avoid fines and penalties
• Some feel the rules are too restrictive, while others appreciate the efforts to protect housing supply

In summary, Gatineau has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals, including permits, taxes, insurance requirements, occupancy limits, and caps on annual rental nights. The rules appear to be achieving their goals of preventing housing loss to full-time STRs and mitigating community impacts, without being overly burdensome on hosts.

While the city does enforce these rules, compliance is very manageable for hosts who take the time to understand and follow the regulations. With some upfront work and ongoing diligence, short-term rentals can still be a lucrative business in the Gatineau market. Hosts should be sure to consult with local authorities and consider working with an experienced short-term rental management company to assist in navigating the licensing process and ensuring full compliance.