The City of Port Colborne has introduced a mandatory Short-Term Rental Licensing program effective November 1, 2025 for any property rented for less than 28 days (Airbnb, VRBO, Facebook, Kijiji, direct rentals, etc.).
If you plan to rent your cottage at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores in 2026, a City license is required.
Application Timeline & Fees
- Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
- Initial Application Fee: $800 + HST
- Annual Renewal Fee: $480 + HST
- Applications submitted after March 1, 2026 will incur a 25% late fee and be placed in the review queue.
All applicants receive a Conditional License once submitted, while a full review is completed.
The City estimates 120 days to complete review and required site inspections.
Applications are reviewed in the order received.
Key Requirements Under the City By-Law
To operate a short-term rental, owners must:
- Apply for an annual Short-Term Rental license
- Display the license number on all rental listings and advertisements
- Assign a 24/7 local emergency contact person
- Maintain minimum $2 million liability insurance covering short-term rental use
- Meet fire safety requirements (smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguisher, posted plan for fire safety)
- Submit Electrical (Hydro) and HVAC inspection certificates
Important for Sherkston Shores Owners
- Units inside Sherkston Shores still require a City license
- Electrical and HVAC inspections must be completed by a Sherkston Shores Authorized Contractor
- The Fire Safety Plan inspection is scheduled through the City and included in the City fee
- Inspection certificates must be uploaded to the City portal by the homeowner
Authorized Electrical Contractors
- Niagara Premier Home Services | [email protected] | (905) 380-5148
- Avas Electric | [email protected] | (416) 800-6714
- Evolve | [email protected] | (289) 968-4436
- Keith Marr | [email protected] | (289) 303-8059
- MM Electrical Services | [email protected] | (905) 708-7207
- ND Electrical Services | [email protected] | (905) 394-1502
- Niagara Electric | [email protected] | (905) 351-9758
Authorized HVAC Contractors
- Peter Babirad | [email protected] | (905) 933-7733
- Jordan Bates | [email protected] | (905) 931-3258
- Kirk Fretz | [email protected] | (905) 651-7183
- Gary Marchand | [email protected] | (289) 214-4328
- V.A. Hoffman | [email protected] | (905) 834-3783
- Comfort Zone | [email protected] | (905) 994-2500
We encourage all owners planning to rent in 2026 to begin early, arrange inspections, and submit their application well before March 1, 2026 to avoid late fees and delays.
For questions related to licensing, inspections, or submission requirements, please visit the City of Port Colborne Short-Term Rentals page.
Page last reviewed: January 8, 2026