Petition to the Municipality of Clarington Regarding Short-Term Rental Regulations

We, the undersigned residents of Bowmanville and the broader Municipality of Clarington, are formally requesting that Council implement clear and enforceable regulations governing short-term rental properties, including those operating through platforms such as Airbnb.

At present, short-term rentals within Clarington are permitted to operate year-round without a requirement for the owner to reside on the property. In some cases, individual bedrooms are being rented separately, resulting in a continual turnover of occupants and effectively converting residential homes into unregulated, multi-tenant accommodations.

This lack of regulation has led to significant and ongoing concerns within our community, including:

• Increased safety risks due to a constant flow of unknown occupants
• Repeated disturbances, including noise, disorderly conduct, and public incidents
• Frequent need for police intervention
• Improper parking, overcrowding, and strain on residential infrastructure
• A decline in neighbourhood stability and residents’ sense of security

Other Ontario municipalities, including Oshawa, have implemented balanced regulatory frameworks that require short-term rental operators to reside in the home for a portion of the year. These measures promote accountability, discourage misuse, and protect the integrity of residential neighbourhoods.

We respectfully request that the Municipality of Clarington adopt similar regulations, including:

• A requirement that short-term rental properties be the operator’s primary residence
• Restrictions on full-time, year-round operation of non-owner-occupied properties
• Prohibition of renting individual rooms in non-owner-occupied homes
• A licensing system with clear enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance

This request is not intended to eliminate short-term rentals, but to ensure they are operated responsibly, safely, and in a manner consistent with the expectations of residential zoning.

We urge Council to take timely action to address this growing issue and to prioritize the safety, well-being, and stability of our community.

Meghan Mercer - concerned Bomanville resident    Contact the author of the petition