Prince Edward County, Ontario · A Buyer's Resource
A free, straight-talking guide to the County's short-term accommodation rules, what they mean for buyers, and how to evaluate an income property. Written by an agent who runs his own.
The One Thing Most Buyers Miss
Since September 20, 2022, the County has not issued new short-term accommodation licences for properties you do not live in. The only way to own one is to buy a property that already holds a transferable, grandfathered licence. This guide shows you exactly how to tell the difference, before you make an offer you cannot undo.
What's Inside
This is the real playbook for buying an income property in The County, not a generic investor pitch. Here's what you'll walk away knowing.
Primary, secondary, and B&B, and which ones a new buyer can actually pursue.
The single rule that reshaped the whole income-property market here, and how to use it.
Exactly what to confirm with the County before you waive a single condition.
The 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax, the penalties, and how to underwrite income honestly.
A printable, work-through-it list covering the licence, the property, and the numbers.
Well, septic, access, and zoning, sized for guest use, not just an owner.
If any of this sounds like you, this guide was written with you in mind.
You have stayed in a County rental, loved it, and want to know what owning one really takes.
You want a property that earns, and you need to know the licence and the numbers are real.
You want a place to enjoy and rent part of the year, and you need to know what's allowed.
You've found one advertised as a rental and you want to verify the income before you offer.
Common Questions
Straight answers to what buyers and owners ask most about running an STA in The County. The guide above goes deeper.
Yes. Prince Edward County requires a municipal licence to legally operate a short-term accommodation, and the County has tightened its STA rules in recent years to balance tourism with local housing. Because the bylaw and the number of available licences can change, always confirm the current requirements with the County before you buy or list a property as an STA.
Yes, but only a specific kind. In Prince Edward County a grandfathered short-term accommodation licence can transfer with the property, and since the County stopped issuing new licences for properties you do not live in as of September 20, 2022, buying one that already holds a transferable licence is now the only way to own a short-term rental here. That makes the licence itself one of the most valuable things you are buying, so confirm its status and transferability directly with the County before you waive any conditions.
It varies widely by location, size, and how many weeks a year the property is booked, so there is no single number. Waterfront homes and walk-to-town properties in Picton and Wellington tend to command the strongest nightly rates and the longest season. The realistic way to gauge a specific property is to look at comparable licensed rentals and their actual booking history, not headline figures.
Location, licensing, and the experience it offers. Proximity to water, wineries, and the main towns drives bookings, while a valid STA licence and features like privacy, parking, and a strong first impression turn interest into repeat guests. A property that photographs well and sleeps a group comfortably will almost always outperform one that does not.
For the right property, yes, but it should make sense on more than short-term income alone. Because County STA rules can change, the safest investments are properties you would still be happy to own as a home, a cottage, or a long-term rental if the rules shift. Go in with a clear picture of the current licensing situation for that specific address.
Free Download
Tell me where to send it. You'll get the full PDF right away, no cost and no obligation.
Where should I send it?
Enter your details and the guide is yours instantly.