As short-term rentals continue to be front and centre in many discussions across North Simcoe, Penetanguishene is officially launching Granicus.
The system, which was adopted by the town last year, is now in place. It allows residents and visitors to phone, text or submit online complaints regarding short-term rentals (STR) in the community.
“Residents in the town have a new and easy way of reporting concerns or issues regarding STR properties with the launch of the Granicus 24/7 hotline,” planning and community development director Andrea Betty said.
The move is meant to help Betty’s department, which in recent years has been receiving an increasing number of requests and complaints from residents regarding STR’s visitors and operators that are not obeying municipal by-laws.
The complaints portal and telephone number (705) 980-0015 is designed to assist Betty's department provide effective municipal law enforcement and licensing services in a professional and accountable manner while proactively enhancing bylaw enforcement services to the town's residents.
The Granicus platform expedites the flow of information and improves transparency throughout the complaint timeline. Specifically, a member of the public who makes a complaint using this system is able to request status updates to confirm what actions were taken after their initial call, text, or online submission.
According to Betty, the system comes with a variety of benefits, including the ability to; report unauthorized short-term rentals, violations of occupancy limits, loud parties and general noise issues, disturbances or trespassing issues, parking and trash related problems, advertising violations, and fraudulent owner occupations.
“This system and hotline number work to notify the STR property owner as soon as complaints are made, and requires a response within 30 minutes, thereby, addressing neighbourhood concerns as they happen,” she said.
"Now that the Granicus site and number have officially launched, the Town of Penetanguishene encourages you to leverage this resource if you have a concern with a STR property."
