Orillia's city council has approved a new Short-term Rental Accommodation (STRA) licence fee structure that will take effect for the 2026 licensing year.
The updated fee of $680 per bedroom, with a maximum fee of $2,040 per STRA property. According to the city, the new structure aims to "create a more equitable system that better reflects the scale of operation and potential impact on surrounding neighbourhoods."
Currently, STRA operators in Orillia pay a single flat fee regardless of the size of their rental.
“A per-bedroom fee is a fairer way to distribute costs among operators,” said Mayor Don McIsaac, in a news release. “It recognizes that larger properties have greater earning potential and a higher likelihood of requiring enforcement resources compared to smaller rentals.”
Tourism remains a key economic driver for Orillia, with the City’s Economic Development Strategy identifies the growth of the sector as one of four major goals over the next five years. The use of STRAs play into tourism's impact on the city.
“Offering a mix of traditional and non-conventional accommodations helps attract a wide range of visitors to Orillia," said Director of Business Development, Tourism and Modernization Michael Ladouceur in a release. "The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) collected through these rentals allows the City and Orillia & Lake Country Tourism to reinvest in local tourism development and promotion.”
The city says that it continues to monitor the potential impacts of STRAs on long-term housing availability and affordability, while supporting growth of tourism in the area.
