August 12, 2024 - CCI-Nova Scotia Chapter News
New Regulations for Short-term Rentals and Tourist Accommodations
This is directly from the Government of Nova Scotia website:
Nova Scotia has changed the regulations for operating short-term accommodations. Effective September 30, all short-term rentals (STR), including tourist accommodations, must be registered under the new Short-term Rentals Registration Act (STRRA). The 2024/25 registration service, Register Your Short-term Accommodation (RYSTA), will open mid-August.
To ensure your application is processed and adjudicated by September 30, you are encouraged to submit your complete application by September 16, 2024. Please continue to visit Register your tourist accommodation - Government of Nova Scotia for updates.
What’s new
Changes include:
- New host categories and registration rates.
- New requirements for registration.
- Increased fines for not following the rules.
New host categories and registration rates
Under the new Regulations there are new categories of hosts. For Commercial STRs (located in a home that is not the host’s primary residence), rates vary based on Tiers.
| Host category | Rate |
|---|---|
|
Primary Residence STR (NEW) A short-term rental offered in the space where you live – your primary residence. (If you are renting five or more bedrooms individually within your home, |
$50 |
|
Commercial STR (NEW) A dwelling unit that is not your primary residence and includes whole homes, condominium units, apartments, and backyard/secondary suites. It is accommodation that would otherwise be suitable as long-term housing but is rented on a short-term basis. Commercial STR rates, by Tier: Tier 1 – Bedford, Beechville, Cole Harbour, Dartmouth, Halifax, Lakeside, Lower Sackville Tier 2 – All other communities not in Tier 1 or Tier 3 Tier 3 – Town of Clark’s Harbour, Town of Digby, Town of Lockeport, Town of Mulgrave, Town of Shelburne |
$500 |
|
Traditional Tourist Accommodation Accommodations that have traditionally served tourists (like hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts). Rates for rented rooms in a primary residence (i.e. guest rooms), personal vacation homes and unusual lodgings (i.e. yurt) are also included in this category. 1 to 4 bedrooms |
$50 $150 |
New requirements for registering
Preparing to register
Before you start your registration application, you will need to know:
- Applicant's full name and business name (if applicable) used for each STR.
- Civic address (not PO Box #) for each STR.
- The number of bedrooms and/or units in each STR.
You will also need to provide proof of compliance documentation with your registration application. Required proof of compliance documentation will vary based on the type of accommodation.
| Type of STR Accommodation | Information needed |
|---|---|
|
All |
One supporting document from your municipality showing your STR or tourist accommodation is compliant with the applicable municipal land use by-law. Your municipality will confirm what documentation is required. Please contact your municipality for more information It’s important for operators to recognize it may take municipalities some time to complete their documentation requests, so it will be very important for operators to act early. |
|
STR in a primary residence, rented room or bed and breakfast |
Two supporting documents showing proof of primary residence:
|
|
STR in a personal vacation home |
Two supporting documents that demonstrate that the STR is not the applicant’s primary residence (see above). |
|
STR in rented accommodation (i.e. the host is a tenant) |
Proof of property owner's permission - Property Owner Consent Short-term Rental Registration (PDF) |
|
STR in a condominium |
Proof of condo board’s permission - Condo Board Consent Short-term Rental Registration (PDF) |
Register as soon as possible
You are encouraged to register by September 16, 2024 to ensure the registration process is complete by September 30, 2024. Applications must include all required documentation for processing. Starting the registration process early will help to avoid a service interruption.
We strive to process registrations within 10 business days; however, this period may be impacted by registration volumes.
New registration number is required
You will receive a 2024/25 registration number once your application has been approved and the fees are paid.
A valid 2024/25 registration number is required to operate beginning September 30, 2024, and list your accommodation on booking platforms (like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and Vrbo).
Increased fines for not following the rules
Operating without a valid registration number is an offence. Beginning September 30, 2024, fines will range from $1,000 per offence to a maximum of $100,000. More details regarding our compliance program will be shared in the fall.
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