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Summer 6-month licences expire Oct 31, 2026Which Kawartha Lakes short-term rental licence do you need?
Kawartha Lakes sells its short-term rental licence in fixed terms, not from the day you apply. There are six classes: hosted or un-hosted, each as a summer, winter or one-year licence. If you hold a summer licence and want to keep taking bookings after Halloween, you need a new licence for the winter term.
The six licence classes side by side
Terms come from By-law 2023-111, s.3.01. Fees come from the 2026 application form. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. [by-law] [2026 form]
| Class | Term | Expires | Hosted fee (2026) | Un-hosted fee (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (6 months) | May 1 to October 31 | October 31 | $200 | $875 |
| Winter (6 months) | October 31 to April 30 | April 30 (next calendar year) | $200 | $875 |
| Annual (1 year) | April 1 to March 31 | March 31 (next calendar year) | $400 | $1,750 |
Appeal fee: $409 (2026 form). Older search snippets quoting $150 / $300 / $750 / $1,500 are out of date.
Hosted or un-hosted?
| Hosted | Un-hosted | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | You live at the property full-time and stay in an owner's suite while guests are there [source] | Everyone else, including most cottages rented while the owner is away |
| Minimum age of the renter | 18 (s.2.011) [source] | 25 (s.2.012) [source] |
| Cost per 6-month term | $200 | $875 |
The class is set by the owner's own declaration, and a false declaration is an offence (s.3.02–3.03) that carries 3 demerit points under Schedule A. [source] If you don't live at the cottage full-time, the hosted rate is not for you.
Which term fits how you rent?
| Your situation | Usually the best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Summer-only cottage, closed or used by family from November to April | Summer licence each year | You pay for the months you rent. Nothing to file this fall. |
| Summer licence now, want ski, snowmobile or ice-fishing guests this winter | Winter licence (Oct 31 to Apr 30) | It starts the day the summer one ends. Two 6-month licences cost the same as one annual licence ($400 hosted, $1,750 un-hosted). |
| Year-round rental, already on the April 1 cycle | Annual licence | One application and one review a year instead of two. |
| Year-round now, but started on the summer cycle | Winter licence this fall, then decide in spring | The annual term runs April 1 to March 31, while the summer term starts May 1. Moving from winter to annual next spring would leave April 1 to April 30 covered twice, and moving from annual to summer would leave April uncovered. Ask the City how it handles a switch before you pay. |
| Stays of 28 nights or more only | Probably no STR licence | The licence applies to rentals of less than 28 consecutive days [source]. Other rules (zoning, tenancy law) can still apply. |
Winter licence checklist (file now)
The same 2026 form is used for new licences and renewals. Tick "Yes" to "Are you renewing an existing Short Term Rental License?" [source]
- Pick the right box: Hosted 6 months October 31 to April 30 ($200) or Un-hosted 6 months October 31 to April 30 ($875). [source]
- Proof of ownership (title deed or a recent Kawartha Lakes tax bill) and a copy of the owner's driver's licence. If a corporation owns the cottage, add a Corporate Profile Report. [source]
- Proof of general liability insurance of at least $2,000,000. The by-law also expects the policy to show an STR operates on the premises and to give the City 10 days' written notice of cancellation (s.3.09(e)). Ask your broker for a certificate that says both. [source]
- Updated scaled site diagram and floor plan. New for 2026: show smoke alarms in every sleeping room, in each hallway outside sleeping rooms and on every floor, plus CO alarms if there's a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage. [source]
- Winter-specific items to draw: fire extinguishers, gas and electrical shut-offs, every entrance, exit and window, and parking spaces (plowed spaces should match what you draw). [source]
- Declarations you'll tick: WETT inspection of wood-burning appliances within the last five years, an annual chimney and flue inspection, an annual HVAC service, and annual smoke and CO alarm testing records. If you rent in winter with a wood stove, have these papers ready. [source]
- Responsible person who can be reached within 30 minutes and on site within 60 minutes. Think about winter road access when you choose this person. [source]
- Answer the questions about outstanding orders and dock encroachment agreements. [source]
- Pay the fee. It's collected before agency approval and isn't refundable. Online payment, or debit, credit or cheque at 37 Lindsay St S, Lindsay (no cash). [source]
- When the new licence arrives, update every listing with the new licence number and the approved occupancy (s.3.013). [source]
What happens if your summer licence lapses first?
The by-law prohibits operating, and treats advertising as operating, without a current licence (s.2.01, s.2.010). [source] The 2026 form's declaration adds that you shall not operate during the application process and may start once a valid licence is issued. [source] If your winter licence is still in review on November 1, block the calendar or contact the licensing office (str@kawarthalakes.ca, 705-324-9411 ext. 1328) before you take a guest.
Operating without a valid licence is listed at 4 demerit points for an order not complied with and 6 on conviction (Schedule A). At 7 points a licence can be suspended. At 15 it can be revoked and a new application refused. Points stay for two years (s.10.03–10.07). The application form adds that properties with 7 or more points may be refused a licence. [source] [source]
There's also a federal tax cost. See how CRA treats expenses for unlicensed days.
Watch out
- Occupancy wording differs. By-law s.2.05–2.06 allows 2 renters per bedroom plus 2 overall, and doesn't count people under 15. The City's FAQ says occupancy is 2 per bedroom limited by the septic system, and that children do count. [source] [FAQ] The number printed on your licence is what you'll be held to.
- Selling the cottage ends the licence. It can't be transferred to a buyer (s.3.04). [source]
- Changes must be reported within 7 days, for example a new bunkie or a converted den (s.3.010). [source]
- Older eligibility clause. Section 2.02(d) says owners who were operating but weren't licensed by April 2024 are not eligible for a licence. If that might apply to you, ask the City before you apply. [source]
Questions owners ask
When does a Kawartha Lakes summer short-term rental licence expire?
Summer 6-month licences (May 1 to October 31) expire on October 31. In 2026 that's a Saturday. The winter 6-month term runs from October 31 to April 30, per By-law 2023-111 s.3.01.
How much is a Kawartha Lakes STR licence in 2026?
According to the 2026 application form: hosted is $200 for 6 months or $400 for a year, and un-hosted is $875 for 6 months or $1,750 for a year. The appeal fee is $409. Fees are non-refundable.
Is an annual licence cheaper than two 6-month licences?
No. In 2026, two 6-month licences cost the same as one annual licence: $400 hosted or $1,750 un-hosted. The difference is timing. The annual term runs April 1 to March 31, and the 6-month terms run May 1 to October 31 and October 31 to April 30.
How long does Kawartha Lakes take to approve a licence?
The City's owners page says about 2–4 weeks from submission to approval when no department raises concerns. The confirmation text inside the 2026 application form says about 4–6 weeks. Apply as early as you can.
Can I keep renting while my winter application is processed?
The by-law requires a current licence to operate or advertise, and the 2026 form's declaration says operation may start once a valid licence is issued. Contact the City's licensing office before taking bookings in any gap.
Related guides
- Kawartha Lakes: rules, fees and deadlines at a glance
- Ontario cottage STR renewal calendar
- CRA and unlicensed short-term rental days
- Muskoka Lakes summer rules and licence number in ads