Minden Hills is about to give its short-term rental bylaw more teeth by making the STR coordinator a full-time, permanent position
and looking to implement an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) to help with enforcement.
Council made the moves at its March 26 meeting on the recommendation of new director of finance, Zach Drinkwalter.
The township developed a STR bylaw in 2024 to police the industry and adopted a four per cent municipal accommodation tax (MAT).
They hired Granicus Canada to help with administration, but municipal staff are still required to manage licences, respond to questions from licence holders, follow up with non-compliant property owners, and coordinate inspections.
Last September, the town hired someone to work 24 hours a week to help, with the contract up this coming fall. Drinkwalter said since the new hire started, “there has been a noticeable improvement in compliance and increase in corresponding revenue. For example, prior
to the position, there were 67 properties not in compliance, but, as of January, that number has been reduced to 46. However,
Drinkwalter said more non-compliant properties show up each week.
There are problems with MAT collection too, he said, such as property owners being unsure of how to report, failing to report on time, or submitting inaccurate reports.
“While the bylaw permits the township to audit STR operators to ensure accurate reporting, no staff had previously been assigned to carry out this function, nor was there the capacity to address this new line of business,” he said.
“Since the introduction of the part-time position, the township has seen a significant increase in MAT collection.” For example, they collected $0 in MAT tax in 2024, $13,681 in 2025 and $23,448 so far in 2026.
With STR revenue, it went from $10,000 in 2024, to $48,500 in 2025 and $4.500 so far in 2026.
“These amounts are expected to increase further with the proposed changes,” Drinkwalter said.
Amping things up
Drinkwalter added they don’t have the tools to enforce the new laws, so recommended the AMPs. They’re are a municipally administered enforcement tool that allows local governments to issue financial penalties for bylaw violations through an administrative process, rather than through the provincial court system.
When a penalty notice is issued, the recipient may either pay the fine or request a review through a municipal screening and hearing process. The system lets municipalities keep 100 per cent of the revenue generated from penalties.
“Implementing AMPs will provide the township with an effective tool to issue and collect fines for non-compliant STR operators in a timely and efficient manner. AMPs can be expanded to other areas in the future,” Drinkwalter said.
He said the new full-timer could administer AMPs, anticipating revenue to cover the added costs. He estimated$204,164 in revenue in 2026, offset by $140,106 in expenses.
Mayor Bob Carter agreed with the AMPs, saying fines must be punitive enough to dissuade people from operating without a licence. A fine schedule will come back to council for future approval.
Coun. Tammy McKelvey also wanted AMPs, and that they be applied to all bylaw infractions, not just STRs. She initiallystruggled with making the position full-time due to cost. However, she was convinced by Drinkwalter and CAO Cynthia Fletcher.
Fletcher said, “if you want the program to be successful, you have to resource it properly.”
Coun. Pam Sayne was in support, saying hopefully over time the position would pay for itself.
Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said she would hold true to the principle that the STR program must pay for itself, without using taxpayers’ money. She also questioned whether they would need bylaw to work after-hours.
Drinkwalter said his experience with other councils is the program was self-funded and generated substantial revenue, with some night and weekend work required for enforcement.
