Edmonton report advises against stricter short-term rental rules

09-Sep-2025

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A new report from Edmonton's urban planning committee says the city should not add additional regulations on short-term rentals, because they would be be unenforceable in practice, and could expose the city to legal risks

While administration did not recommend adding more regulations, it said the city needs a more intensive public education campaign to explain short-term regulations and host responsibilities to provide guidance for Edmontonians who have concerns about short-term rentals in their neighbourhoods. 

Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz put forward a motion last year that required short-term rentals to register for a business licence. The motion was passed in April. 

", you know, that We also don't want to see neighbourhoods seeing purpose-built Airbnb style rentals coming forward," he said. 

"Those should be zoned as commercial hotels and those should be operated and taxed as commercial hotels."

Janz said some of the initial regulations introduced by his motion have shown promising signs.