Montreal prepares new restrictions for Airbnbs outside summer months
Even licensed units may be required to close their calendars from September 10 to June 10, meaning short-term rentals would only be allowed for three months each year.
31/01/2025 - As Montreal moves forward with a new set of short-term rental regulations, Airbnb hosts in the city should pay close attention to upcoming changes that will directly impact their operations. Recent media reports indicate that the city is planning to restrict short-term rentals to the summer season, allowing principal residences to be rented only between June 10 and September 10.
TeamCHECKiN is closely monitoring the situation to assess the impact on legally registered Airbnbs—those with a valid permit that currently allows them to operate on online booking platforms. Units in designated tourist zones are expected to remain unaffected. However, many details remain unclear as the city prioritizes increasing the availability of long-term rental housing over the effects these measures could have on tourism.
The justification for these new restrictions, according to recent reports, is the difficulty of enforcing current regulations. The new model aims to be more effective by shifting the burden of proof onto property owners, making it easier to apply penalties.
What we know so far
📌 Permitted rental period: Short-term rentals in principal residences will only be allowed between June 10 and September 10, depending on location.
📌 Outside this period: Only units in specific commercial zones, such as parts of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis streets, will be allowed to operate legally year-round.
📌 Stronger enforcement: The number of inspectors will increase to enhance compliance monitoring.
📌 Automatic fines: Owners who violate the rules will face fines of $1,000 per night for individuals and $2,000 for businesses. Repeat offenders may be subject to additional penalties.
📌 Reversed burden of proof: Previously, inspectors had to prove a violation before issuing penalties for illegal listings. Now, property owners will need to prove they comply with the rules, similar to traffic infractions.
📌 Municipal permit required: In addition to a license from Quebec’s Ministry of Tourism, summer rentals will require approval from the City of Montreal.
📌 Potential adjustments: The dates set for 2025 may be revised based on major tourist events. For instance, in 2026, the Canadian Grand Prix will take place in May, and the city is considering allowing exceptions for that period.
🔗 Read the latest updates on these regulations: