Getting short-term rental operators to comply with Niagara-on-the-Lake’s licensing and bylaw requirements is continuing to show positive progress, a town staff report says.

“I think we’re making some pretty good strides,” Lord Mayor Betty Disero said in an interview.

The town issued just two bylaw infractions and conducted 15 investigations into short-term rental infractions in June, according to the report presented to councillors Monday night.

There were no short-term rental infractions and and two investigations in July, the report said. Short-term rental infractions are expected to average between zero and 10 every month.

Educating violators is the first option for the town’s enforcement officers. When that fails, substantial fines can be levied.

Disero said the town gives licence owners all the information they need to stay in compliance.

Almost a year ago, in September 2021, the town rolled out a program with Granicus Host Compliance to monitor short-term rentals alongside the administrative monetary penalty system to better fine individuals for breaking town bylaws.

As well, 1,883 parking tickets were issued in June and 2,043 in July, according to the bylaw enforcement reports for those months.

Four property standards investigations took place in June and another 23 were conducted in July. 

The town issued 18 administrative penalty tickets in June and another nine in July.

Overall, the town has issued 52 such tickets so far this year, 12 of which have been for short-term rental infractions and 12 for tree bylaw violations.