Zoning by-law defines Short-Term Accommodation as temporary paid lodging for 30 consecutive days or less, including Bed and Breakfast but excluding hotels/motels and unpaid stays. Township's site states STAs are Rural/Agricultural-zone only, owner must be present, max 4 bedrooms.
Short-term rentals — Essa, Ontario
Can I run an Airbnb here? Do I need a licence?
The Township of Essa, Ontario has 1 adopted bylaw on file: Township of Essa Zoning By-law 2003-50 - 'Short-Term Accommodation' definition, verified 2026-09-21.
Township page explaining that Council amended the Zoning By-law (resolution Sept 6, 2023) to regulate short-term accommodations/Airbnb: permitted only in Rural or Agricultural zones, not Residential; owner must be present during operation, aimed at eliminating unsupervised 'ghost hotels'.