Moncton councillors have directed city staff to prepare a bylaw to regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo, signalling a shift away from the city’s previous decision to wait for provincial rules.
Council motion and next steps
The committee of the whole voted unanimously Monday to ask staff to hire a consultant and draft a short-term rental bylaw, with a requirement to report back to council by July next year. The committee decision still must be ratified at a future council meeting.
Councillors said the move responds to community concerns about safety, housing availability and the effect of unregulated short-term rentals on neighbourhoods. What specific requirements the bylaw will contain has not been set; staff mentioned the possibility of routine fire safety inspections and rules to ensure compatibility with surrounding neighbourhoods.
Concerns driving the change
Speakers at the committee meeting described several principal concerns motivating the motion:
- Fire safety: councillors cited safety risks associated with uninspected short-term rental properties.
- Housing supply: the loss of long-term rental or ownership units when properties are used primarily for short stays.
- Neighbourhood impacts: complaints about noise, safety and transient visitors altering residential character.
Coun. Kate Doyle, who moved the motion, spoke from personal experience about living beside an Airbnb. "It is an absolute nightmare," she said, describing an incident in which she was assaulted by a guest.
"It is an absolute nightmare," — Coun. Kate Doyle
Coun. Félix LeBlanc, who said he owns a short-term rental unit outside the city, expressed support for some regulation. "Sensible regulation can improve the reputation of short term rentals," he told the committee and, when asked, said his unit is located outside Moncton, noting he did not see a conflict of interest.
Financial and policy context
At present, Moncton’s accommodation levy — a charge applied to hotel rooms — does not apply to short-term rental bookings. Council did not set new tax or levy proposals as part of the motion; those options could be considered as staff and the consultant develop regulatory options.
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Committee vote | Unanimous to hire consultant and draft a bylaw |
| Report deadline | By July next year |
| Previous approach | Council had been waiting for provincial regulation |
Broader provincial dimension
The committee’s decision reverses an earlier municipal strategy of waiting for the provincial government to create provincewide rules and licensing for short-term rentals. Councillors referenced a recent deadly fire in Montreal as part of the context prompting renewed attention to safety issues in the sector.
City staff will now scope consultant work that could include inspection regimes, licensing, zoning compatibility rules and enforcement mechanisms. The consultant’s findings and staff recommendations will shape any draft bylaw presented to council for debate and adoption.
As the process moves forward, Moncton residents can expect a public engagement phase when a draft bylaw is prepared, followed by council deliberations. The timeline set by council gives the city several months to develop options and consider how local rules should align with any future provincial framework.
The committee decision represents a turning point for Moncton policy on short-term rentals, placing municipal officials in the lead to balance neighbourhood concerns, safety standards and the economic benefits hosts argue the market brings.
