Tourist accommodations are governed by provincial and municipal legislation. The provincial legislation establishes the definition of various tourist accommodations and requires operators to apply for a registration number from the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec.
The Municipality, for its part, has the authority to decide with its zoning By-law where tourist accommodations are allowed on its territory.
Definition
A short-term tourist accommodation is defined as the rental of at least one accommodation unit (room, bed, apartment, etc.) to tourists or for a fee, for less than 31 days. This definition includes primary and secondary residences offered for rental on sites such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Wimbu and others.
For any questions, please consult the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ).
The municipal zoning by-law allows short-term tourist accommodation within a principal residence in most areas of Chelsea, but under certain conditions.
To operate short-term tourist accommodation inside a principal residence, you must obtain:
- a certificate of authorization from the Municipality of Chelsea
AND
- a classification certificate issued by the Corporation de l'Industrie Touristique du Québec (CITQ)
- Validate with the Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Department if your residence is located in an authorized zone and if conditions apply at urbanisme@chelsea.ca.
- Complete the CITQ's Notice of Municipal Compliance form (French only)
- Once you have completed the Notice of Municipal Compliance form, you must have it signed by the Planning and Sustainable Development Department and file an application for a Certificate of Use at permis@chelsea.ca. A municipal officer will contact you to complete your application.
- If the application is compliant, the officer will send you a certificate of authorization to use, as well as the signed Notice of Compliance.
- Once you receive the signed Notice of Compliance and the certificate of use from the municipality, you must complete the CITQ registration process.
- You will be able to legally operate your accommodation as soon as the CITQ grants you a written notice of classification and registration number.
If you operate a tourist accommodation establishment, be sure to comply with municipal safety and sanitation regulations.
Other conditions dictated by provincial law and applicable municipal by-laws apply:
- The maximum duration for short-term rentals is 31 days.
- The principal operator must hold a classification certificate issued by the CITQ under the Tourist Accommodation Establishments Act.
- The business activity must be carried on by the principal occupant of the dwelling and only one additional person who is not the principal occupant or tenant of the dwelling.
- The additional use must be in the main building where family and social activities are centered, including when the residence is not used as a principal residence.
- The maximum number of bedrooms per residence shall be six (excluding residences connected to municipal sewers).
- Where an additional dwelling unit is carried on as a complementary use to the principal dwelling unit, the establishment of a principal residence is prohibited.
- Accommodation is prohibited within an accessory or secondary building.
- Accommodation is prohibited in an additional dwelling unit where the additional dwelling unit is accessible through a door separate from the principal residence.
- You can check if an owner was issued a CITQ certificate by searching the portal of registered establishments
- You may notify Revenu Québec of an illegal short-term tourist accommodation. It has the inspection and investigation powers in this regard.
- by phone at 1 855-208-1131
- online by sending the denunciation form
- Website of the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec
This page was last updated on January 30