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Short-Term Accommodations

Temporary Moratorium on New Short Term Rental Properties

Effective January 31, 2024, new licences for short term rental properties (rental tenancies less than 30 days, not in the principal residence of the host) may not be obtained.

In order to prioritize the availability of long-term rental opportunities, the Business Licence Bylaw does not permit new licences for short term rental properties to be granted when the rental vacancy rate, as determined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is less than 3%; the rate is currently 2%.

Existing short term rental property licences may be renewed. New Licences for homestays (rental tenancies that are in the principal residence of the host, including secondary suites) may still be obtained.

Businesses operating or advertising without a licence are subject to prosecution, including fines up to $25,000 per day.

Short-term accommodations are rental accommodations in dwellings for tenancies less than 30 days. This includes businesses such as vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts. Tenancies may be facilitated through hosting platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Expedia, Booking.com, Obasa Six-Three Suites, and many others.

There are two types of accommodations; short-term rental properties and homestays. Short-term rental properties are located in a dwelling that is not the principal residence of the host, while homestays are located in a dwelling that is the principal residence of the host.

To ensure that dwellings are in compliance with safety standards and are compatible with the residential characteristics of the neighbourhood, the City of Saskatoon licenses short-term accommodations and regulates the land use through Bylaw 9746 - The Business Licence Bylaw, 2021 and Bylaw 8770 - The Zoning Bylaw, 2009.
 

Regulations
  Homestay Short-Term Rental Property
Maximum Number of Guests One Unit Dwelling: 6 guests

All other dwellings: 2 guests

 6 guests

 
Host Declaration Yes Yes
Permission of Property Owner Yes Yes
Permission of Condominium Corporation N/A Yes

 

To learn more about short-term accommodation options, including how to apply for a licence, please refer to the following information:

Short-Term Rental Properties

Short-Term Rental Properties are rental accommodations in a dwelling that is not the principal residence of the host.

Requirements
  • Commercial Business Licence
  • Host Declaration
  • Written permission of the property owner (if applicable)
  • Written permission of the condominium corporation (if applicable)
  • Discretionary use approval is required in the following residential zoning districts:
    R1, R1A, R1B, R2, R2A, RMHL, RMTN, RMTN1, RM1, RM2, RM3, and RM4. 
Development Standards
  • Can host up to 6 guests in a home. (Note, this includes guests hosted in the secondary suite of a one-unit dwelling)
Application Process

To apply, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the Host Declaration and save it on your computer.
  2. Apply online for a Commercial Business Licence Application.
  3. When prompted, attach PDF documents, including your saved Host Declaration, written permission of the owner (if applicable) and written permission of the condominium corporation (if applicable).
  4. Submit Commercial Business Licence Application form with application fee. 
Homestays

Homestays are a short-term rental accommodation in a dwelling that is the principal residence of the host. This includes a secondary suite where the host resides in the principal dwelling unit. A license for a homestay is only required when hosting guests in a secondary suite, or hosting more than two guests in your home.

Requirements
  • Commercial Business Licence
  • Host Declaration
  • Written permission of the property owner (if applicable)
  • Written permission of the condominium corporation (if applicable)

Development Standards

  • In a one-unit dwelling up to six guests may be hosted. (Note, this includes guests hosted in the secondary suite of a one-unit dwelling)
  • In a duplex, townhouse, apartment or condominium, up to two guests may be hosted
Application Process

To apply, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the Host Declaration and save it on your computer.
  2. Apply online for a Commercial Business Licence Application.
  3. When prompted, attach PDF documents, including your saved Host Declaration, written permission of the owner (if applicable) and written permission of the condominium corporation (if applicable).
  4. Submit Commercial Business Licence Application form with application fee. 
Hostels

Hostels are establishments in which transient lodgers are harboured, received or lodged for less than one week at a time. Hostels differ from short-term accommodations in that they are commercial buildings which have been constructed or converted to host guests and are not dwellings.

Hostel Type I: up to five guests can be hosted

Hostel Type II: more than five guests can be hosted

Requirements