A recent report to Edmonton’s Urban Planning Committee has recommended against introducing tougher short-term rental (STR) restrictions. City staff argued that additional regulations would be hard to enforce and could expose Edmonton to legal challenges. Instead, they suggested expanding public education efforts to help hosts and neighbours better understand existing licensing rules.Current Framework and Growth in Licensed RentalsUnder current bylaws, STR operators must register for a business licence; this requirement came into effect in 2024. The city’s report noted progress since these requirements were introduced, including a 70% increase in licensed rentals since May 2024. While some councillors have raised concerns about “ghost hotels” operating without accountability, city administration pointed out that nuisance complaints tied to STRs remain minimal, making up just 0.3% of all bylaw complaints.Hotels Raise Alarm Over “Ghost Hotels”The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), which represents nearly 700 hotels across the province, criticized the city’s cautious stance. In a statement released September 5, AHLA president Tracy Douglas-Blowers said Edmonton’s current rules lack real accountability and leave traditional hotels at a disadvantage. The association has called for the city to require online platforms such as Airbnb to share data with municipalities, making it easier to confirm that hosts are properly licensed.The AHLA points to experience in Vancouver, where fraudulent licence numbers were discovered on STR platforms even after new rules were introduced. Without access to platform data, AHLA argues, Edmonton has little ability to prevent unlicensed operators from skirting regulations.AHLA’s release raises concerns about unlicensed or poorly regulated short-term rentals, highlighting issues with accountability, the lack of transparency for enforcement, and the competitive disadvantage these ‘ghost hotels’ create for traditional hotels and their staff.ImplicationsFor those offering short-term rentals, the city’s current approach suggests relative stability in Edmonton’s STR market for now. With no new restrictions on the horizon, licensed operators can continue to rent units without the principal-residence or day-limit requirements imposed in other jurisdictions. However, the AHLA’s push for stronger enforcement underscores a growing tension: if the hotel industry convinces Edmonton City Council to revisit regulations, there is a possibility that Edmonton could eventually adopt rules closer to those in Vancouver or Toronto, where STR activity is more tightly restricted.