Halifax is tightening the rules on short-term rentals like Airbnb — and finally putting real muscle behind enforcement. At the same time, the city is giving rural hosts more breathing room to operate legally.
Since the city’s rental bylaw came into effect in late 2023, homeowners have been required to register their properties with the province. Over 1,100 did, and in the process, city staff uncovered a bunch of rentals that weren’t following the rules — many of which had flown under the radar.
But until now, enforcing those rules has been a struggle. With just three bylaw officers covering the entire region, complaints from residents about noisy guests, overflowing trash bins, and congested streets were piling up.
Now that’s changing. Thanks to $300,000 in federal funding, Halifax is creating a dedicated short-term rental enforcement team. The money will go toward hiring seven new staff, including bylaw officers and inspectors, who’ll focus solely on tracking rental activity and making sure operators play by the book.
And it’s already having an impact. Since the rules kicked in, the number of active Airbnb listings in Halifax has dropped by nearly half — from about 2,400 to just over 1,200. Whether that means more units are becoming available for long-term renters is still unclear, but it’s a step in the right direction.
While enforcement is tightening in urban areas, the city is also making it easier for people in rural communities to get in on the short-term rental game. New rules — set to roll out in early June — will allow one short-term rental per rural property, even if the owner doesn’t live there. This gives a green light to hosts in places like Lawrencetown, Musquodoboit Valley, and the Eastern Shore who’ve been waiting for clear, consistent rules.
Halifax is also planning to consult with African Nova Scotian communities, including North Preston and Upper Hammonds Plains, to make sure local voices shape the future of short-term rental rules.
There’s even talk of loosening rules for secondary suites — like basement apartments or backyard units — especially in student-heavy areas. One idea on the table: let people rent these spaces to students during the school year, and to tourists in the summer. It could help keep student housing affordable while giving homeowners more flexibility.
At the heart of all this is a simple goal: balance. Halifax wants to protect neighborhoods, support tourism, and make sure locals still have places to live. And these latest changes show the city is ready to take that balancing act seriously.
