The City of Brampton recognizes the importance of diverse housing options to meet the needs of residents and visitors. Short-term rentals (STRs) provide flexible accommodations while supporting homeowners and the local economy. To ensure STRs operate safely and responsibly, the City requires all operators to comply with the
Short-Term Rentals By-Law and obtain a valid licence prior to operating.
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STR or “Short-Term Accommodation” is defined as the use of all or part of a principal residence to provide sleeping accommodations for a rental period of less than 28 consecutive days in exchange for payment. STRs do not include hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, hospitals, or other temporary accommodations where no payment is involved. These rentals are often facilitated through online platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and FlipKey, and provide homeowners an opportunity to generate income while offering visitors with flexible lodging options.
As STRs become more common, it is essential for operators to understand and comply with municipal, provincial, and condominium regulations. STRs are subject to zoning, licensing, and taxation by-laws, as well as broader legislative requirements. Through responsible oversight, the City aims to balance innovation in housing with public safety, community well-being and regulatory fairness.
Licensing Requirements
All STR operators must obtain a valid license prior to operating and comply with the
Short-Term Rentals By-law. In Brampton, the following regultions apply:
- STRs can only be operated in the principal residence
- rental periods must be less than 28 consecutive days
- STRs can only operate for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year
- no more than three bedrooms can be rented individually
- licences must be renewed annually
- the maximum number of occupants in a dwelling unit shall not exceed one person for each fourteen (14) sq. metres (150 sq. ft.) of the total floor area of habitable rooms.
Operators who contravene the by-law may face fines and enforcement action.
Licence Application Requirements
To obtain a licence, applicants must provide the following:
- completed licence application form
- Proof of property ownership
- Completed certificate of insurance signed by the insurer
- Business registration (Master Business Licence) and/or Articles of Incorporation, if applicable
- Criminal Record Search (from the police service in the applicant's place of residence)
- information package (as outlined in the By-law) including:
- a floorplan outlining which areas of the property will be used as a STR
- total square footage of the dwelling
- Supporting documentation for determining occupancy limits in accordance with Property Standards By-law
- Application Fee
Applications are issued by the Licensing Administration Office, located on the first floor of Brampton City Hall in the City Clerk's Office.
View the business license application and requirements here. Please email your completed application package to
licensing@brampton.ca for processing.
Enforcement
The City of Brampton's Enforcement and By-Law Services Division monitors licensed STRs to ensure compliance with all governing regulations. Once a licence is issued, the Licensing Enforcement team is responsible for inspections, responding to complaints, and addressing violations.
Violations of the by-law may result in charges, fines, and other penalties, as applicable.
Licence Suspension and Revocation
The City of Brampton is dedicated to ensuring STR operators comply with municipal regulations to protect public health, safety and community well-being. Under By-Law 165-2021, the City Clerk has the authority to suspend or revoke STR licences when necessary.
An STR licence may be suspended or revoked if the operator:
- violates licence terms or other applicable laws
- fails to comply with municipal or provincial regulations
- operates in a manner that poses a risk to public health or safety
- creates a nuisance to the surrounding community
The review and decision process are summarized below:
1. Complaint Submission
Complaints must be submitted using an approved form and may involve input from enforcement agencies, police, public health and other relevant parties.
2. Investigation
The City Clerk reviews the complaint, gathers evidence and assesses the severity of the issue.
3. Temporary Suspension
If the STR presents an immediate risk, the City Clerk may suspend the licence for up to 14 days while the matter is investigated.
4. Final Decision
Based on the findings, the City Clerk may reinstate, suspend or revoke the licence. The operator will receive written notice within ten (10) days.
5. Appeal Process
Operators have 15 days to request a hearing before the Brampton Appeal Tribunal, which has the final authority to uphold, modify or overturn the decision.
A licensee whose STR licence is revoked cannot reapply for a minimum of 12 months. Suspended licences may be reinstated once compliance is achieved.
