Short-Term Accommodations

What is the data and factual evidence that indicates that these by-laws are needed in Sarnia? Or, Is it fear of the new/unknown, nimby-ism, or a reaction to big city problems publicized in the media? Or it is competition trying to keep out what is now an accepted and expected option for travellers?

Sarnia NEEDS the business that STRs can bring. Why would you penalize entrepreneurs with overly aggressive and restrictive costs and by-laws? These will just drive them out of business or push them underground. Further, Do you really want to be in the business of investigating, chasing people and trying to enforce these by-laws?

I don’t have an STR, and I don’t intend to have one in the future, so I have no dog in this fight. But I have travelled extensively, and used STRs in The US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. I will continue to use both STRs (entire place, not just a room) and hotels to suit my needs. I have happily stayed in places where the only parking is street parking (contrary to popular opinion, Sarnia does not have a parking problem, it has a mentality problem), places with 1 or several bedrooms (depending on if we are meeting friends and/or taking family). Recently my daughter stayed in a 6 bedroom house that was booked for the wedding party who all had to travel to be at the location - it was exactly what they needed, no problems came up, and they didn’t trash the place or have a big party there! I suspect 99% of the STRs in Sarnia operate in a similarly successful fashion.

I applaud looking at how other cities do things, but in this case we aren’t Windsor, or Toronto, etc. We need to attract business, and increase the economic base (let people make an honest buck!), not stifle it with ridiculous by-laws. If a pervasive problem comes up, deal with that - don’t start from negative assumptions.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the proposed regulations regarding short-term rentals.
I have recently relocated to Bright’s Grove after spending many years travelling to Sarnia for work in the oil industry. Travelling across the country in search of short term has allowed me to provide a unique “outsiders perspective” on the short-term rental industry in Sarnia.
Despite a large portion of Sarnia’s economy being driven by oil and gas, the city is consistently one of the most difficult places to find short-term accommodations. The motels are overflowing in spring and fall every year and workers are forced to find creative ways to house themselves. Some choose to cram 4 people into a motel room, others sleep in their vehicle, renting shower facilities from local fitness centres. Many decide to leave Sarnia and are forced to commute to/from neighbouring communities. The city of Sarnia should be embracing these workers and creating legislation which will allow them to stay in Sarnia and spend a portion of their paycheques on local businesses. The proposed regulations will do nothing but hinder the supply of short term housing.
In addition to oil and gas, Sarnia has another unique economic engine that isn’t reaching its full potential, Lake Huron. Sarnia has access to a beautiful portion of Lake Huron. Not everyone is wealthy enough to be able to afford a vacation home. Through the use of sites like AirBnB, a cottage or vacation home, like the many available in Bright’s Grove, now becomes a reality. The cities proposed legislation requiring the owner to be the principal resident of the building eliminates an entire cottage industry in a cottage town! Follow the Lake from Sarnia to Tobermory and you will find entire communities that are able to thrive as a result of the short-term rental industry. Many people wishing to own a cottage or second home in the area with the long-term goal of retiring at the lake will no longer be able to do so.
In addition to the city requiring short-term housing owners to be principal residents, they are also discussing adding a 4% tax payable to the city. A 4% tax which will be in addition to the property tax payable to the city and personal income tax, a portion of which heads back to the city. With the spiking real-estate market, this 4% could be the difference between a profitable, cash-positive investment and not. In short, it could be the difference between a seller selling and a buyer buying. What the city of Sarnia is failing to recognize is that the city will actually reap the benefits of a thriving short-term rental industry without implementing the tax. Well paid workers and happy tourist families spend money on local businesses! Far more than your average long-term renter or home-owner. Additionally, these short-term home owners are often forced to spend more money than the average homeowner on renovations, furniture, cleaners, etc. (ie more local businesses)
Knowing this, why would the City of Sarnia wish to alienate prospective cottage owners, real-estate investors, short-term workers, tourists AND local businesses?
Two reasons, the first being greed. The 4% “tourism tax” will look excellent on a balance sheet. What the city fails to realize is that the hidden numbers from a thriving short-term rental industry (additional money spent locally) will far outweigh the money accrued from taking 4% profits from a nonexistent industry. The second, and possibly the most relevant reason is angry community members who have loud opinions on short-term housing. These community members often complain their “quality of life” has been negatively affected by short-term housing, often citing a myriad of complaints including but not limited to: noise, lack of parking, loss of community, safety fears and increased traffic.
It is an unfortunate truth in today’s world that the vocal, complaining minority seems to trump the silent majority. The majority of people don’t complain that their property values have risen because a neighbor has renovated. Nobody gripes that they’ve met some really nice people travelling through. They won’t protest when their own businesses are thriving by the extra dollars being spent in the city. Nobody minds when a new restaurant opens up to take advantage of growing tourism, or when they can rent paddleboards on the beach. Everyone will cheer an announcement of a new Oil and Gas project in the area but they won’t realize that it may have been made possible due to a surplus of worker infrastructure. A new project, like the ongoing project was deemed financially viable in part because they didn’t have to spend millions building worker camps.
Please, for all of the logical reasons stated above, do not pass the short-term housing regulations to satisfy a small group of malcontents. Please remember that a 4% tax of an empty industry equates to zero dollars for the city. A large chunk of Sarnia’s economy- Tourism, Small Businesses and the Oil Industry will suffer as a result of these regulations.

Planners and local communities are empowered to "flip the script" on the short term rental conversation.

Responsible hosts and community leaders have opportunity to collaborate on how our communities can reap the many benefits of short term rentals while at the same time ensuring that everyone acts in a responsible and neighbourly way.

The regulatory and enforcement practices have been drafted, yet there is room to be inclusive (non-discriminatory) in their application. Let’s collaborate and evolve these practices further to come up with short-term rental policies that can and will actually work.

What might be your thoughts on providing education/information on the benefits of short term rentals to not only city councillors but also include general public?

For us specifically, the concern is with the municipalities not supporting "whole house" rentals that is NOT the primary resident of owners.

This is discriminatory against both the property owners and travellers alike.

1. Not all groups (hosts or travellers) wish to share their spaces and it speaks to the point of privacy (and personal safety) for both parties.

2. Travellers and their needs are becoming as diverse as their destinations. There is a lid for every pot - as they saying goes... and home shares or traditional accommodations (like that of hotels) are not always the right fit for a particular group. (Will post more on this point later)

3. The environment provided in whole house rentals support a more collaborative experience for groups, co workers, or family as well as significant cost savings.

4. Limiting property owners "use of property" is again discriminatory and is a gross overstep. Quite frankly, a slippery slope of precedent. NOTE: This is something to keep a watchful eye upon in upcoming months as this factor will likely be reintroduced to governments.

5. Should the municipalities move forward with the regulations as proposed, it would be a 100% lack of support from the City of Sarnia to encourage local business owners supporting other local business owners.

6. Property owners/hosts are contributing to local employment through service contracts, maintenance teams and cleaning teams (just to name a few)

7. It should also be mentioned that there is not sufficient nor accurate data to support that whole house rentals (if not permitted under future regulation) brings these homes back into the fold of long term housing and the theory that this will now provide "affordable housing" is unfounded. (Affordable housing is a topic unto itself that will require massive collaboration to work towards solution)

7a. Has the recently passed tax entered into this conversation of affordable housing? Is it even a little bit possible that the funds generated from this new tax, be in at least a small part allocated to social programs or even be potential "seed" funds to construct new (or retrofit pre-existing underutilized spaces) to support a long term project to assist in this ever growing need. Admittedly, it may not solve the problem and collaboration with planning, zoning, permitting teams would be required... however, it does have great potential to springboard a positive ACTION item towards sustainability and investment in our at risk community members.

Just a few thoughts to marinate in for a bit... I look forward to drafting a formal letter to request deferment of decisions on this regulations until a more balanced and informed decision could be truly assessed.

The significance of these decisions are not taken lightly by operators as it greatly impacts our local businesses and travellers to our diverse community and the industries it supports.

Thanks for listening,

Lisa Maola

Ps... I am in full support of a tax that benefits our local community and the persons within.