Airbnb Regulation in Montreal – 2025 Overview

Introduction to Airbnb Regulations in Montreal

Montreal has introduced stricter short-term rental regulations in 2025, aimed at reducing housing shortages and controlling the impact of Airbnb and similar platforms. These new laws significantly limit rental periods, enforce stricter zoning laws, and impose hefty fines for non-compliance. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the latest rules, ensuring that hosts and guests fully understand the legal landscape.

Explore Why Airbnb in Montreal is a great investment.

Montreal’s Short-Term Rental Laws in 2025

The City of Montreal has tightened its short-term rental regulations, requiring compliance with specific rental periods, permit requirements, and zoning restrictions.

New Airbnb Laws in Montreal

1. Seasonal Rental Period: Short-term rentals are only allowed from June 10 to September 10 each year. Outside this period, renting out a property is strictly prohibited, unless it is in a designated tourist accommodation zone.
2. Mandatory Permits: Hosts must obtain a municipal permit, which costs around $300, before listing their property on Airbnb or similar platforms.
3. Zoning Restrictions: Year-round short-term rentals are only permitted in designated commercial areas, such as parts of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis streets. Residential neighborhoods are restricted to the approved summer rental period.
4. Primary Residence Requirement: Only primary residences can be rented for short-term stays. Investment properties and secondary residences cannot be listed on Airbnb.
5. Stricter Fines and Penalties:
   • Individuals who violate the regulations face fines of $1,000 per night.
   • Businesses that break the rules can be fined $2,000 per night.
6. Increased Enforcement: The city has expanded its team of inspectors from three to ten to monitor illegal short-term rentals and enforce compliance.

Impact on Airbnb Hosts

Higher Compliance Costs

To legally rent out a property, hosts must register with the Corporation de l’Industrie Touristique du Québec (CITQ), obtain a municipal permit, and adhere to strict safety and zoning regulations. The additional costs and administrative steps make short-term rentals less accessible for many property owners.

Reduction in Available Airbnb Listings

With zoning laws limiting short-term rentals to specific areas and times of the year, the number of available Airbnb listings may decrease. This means increased competition among existing listings and higher rental prices for guests.

Taxation on Short-Term Rentals

Hosts must collect and remit the 3.5% lodging tax to the government and declare rental income on their federal and provincial taxes.

Impact on Airbnb Guests

Limited Rental Availability

The new seasonal restrictions mean that short-term rentals are only available during the summer months (June 10 – September 10). Outside of this period, guests will need to stay in licensed hotels or commercial tourist accommodations.

Higher Prices for Short-Term Rentals

With fewer available Airbnb listings, prices may increase, especially in high-demand areas like Downtown Montreal, Old Port, and Plateau Mont-Royal.

Montreal Borough-Specific Regulations

Each borough in Montreal enforces its own version of the short-term rental laws, with some areas imposing stricter rules than others:

Borough	Primary Residence Rentals	Non-Primary Residence Rentals	Additional Requirements
Ahuntsic-Cartierville	Allowed in most residential areas with CITQ approval	Prohibited	CITQ notice of compliance required
Anjou	Allowed in most residential areas with CITQ approval	Prohibited	CITQ notice of compliance required
Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce	Allowed but requires CITQ approval and certificate of occupancy	Prohibited	CITQ notice of compliance & certificate of occupancy ($62 fee)
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal	Allowed throughout borough with certificate of occupancy	Allowed only in commercial zones (Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Rue Saint-Denis)	Certificate of occupancy required; power of attorney not accepted
Le Sud-Ouest	Allowed throughout borough with certificate of occupancy	Allowed only in specific commercial areas	Certificate of occupancy required; fees range from $338 to $907
L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève	Allowed only in specific areas (Rue Bord-du-Lac, Rue Monk, Rue Carré Grilli)	Prohibited outside specific areas	Permit counter verification required
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve	Allowed only for primary residences	Prohibited	Permit counter verification required
Montréal-Nord	Prohibited	Prohibited	N/A
Outremont	Allowed throughout borough with CITQ approval ($300 fee)	Prohibited	Landlord authorization required if tenant
Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles	Allowed in most residential areas with CITQ approval	Prohibited	CITQ notice of compliance required
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie	Allowed; bed and breakfasts in specific areas	Apartment hotels allowed only on Rue Saint-Hubert	Bed & breakfast requires classification certificate
Saint-Laurent	Prohibited	Prohibited	N/A
Saint-Léonard	Prohibited	Prohibited	N/A
Verdun	Allowed with restrictions (one group at a time, max 31 days, no meals)	Prohibited	Notice of compliance required before CITQ application
Ville-Marie	Allowed almost everywhere	Allowed only in sector M.9 (Rue Sainte-Catherine)	Borough council approval required for non-primary residences
Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension	Allowed throughout borough with CITQ classification	Allowed only in specific hotel-zoned areas	Permit counter verification required

How to Legally Operate an Airbnb in Montreal in 2025

Step 1: Register Your Property

All short-term rental properties must be registered with the CITQ and obtain a municipal permit.

Step 2: Obtain Necessary Permits

Hosts must pay a $300 fee to receive the required short-term rental permit for the approved summer period.

Step 3: Follow Safety Regulations

Properties must comply with fire safety standards, insurance requirements, and building codes.

Step 4: Pay Taxes and Fees

Hosts must collect and remit the 3.5% lodging tax and report all short-term rental income to tax authorities.

Step 5: Stay Updated with Local Laws

Laws are constantly changing. Hosts should check Montreal’s official website for any future modifications to short-term rental regulations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Hosts who do not comply with Montreal’s 2025 Airbnb regulations face severe financial penalties:

• Illegal Rentals: Fines of $1,000 per night for individuals and $2,000 per night for businesses.
• Failure to Register: Listings without a valid CITQ number will be removed and penalized.
• Zoning Violations: Operating outside the designated rental period or area can result in an immediate ban and legal consequences.
• Tax Evasion: Unreported rental income may lead to audits and additional penalties from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Final Thoughts on Airbnb in Montreal in 2025

Montreal’s new short-term rental regulations are designed to protect housing availability, reduce disturbances, and enforce responsible hosting. The strict seasonal limits, permit requirements, and high fines make it essential for Airbnb hosts to follow all legal guidelines to avoid penalties. While these laws create challenges for short-term rentals, compliance ensures a stable and legally sound hosting experience.

Read also about Airbnb Regulations in Ottawa 2024.