“MILF Manor” reignites debate over short-term rentals in Oro-Medonte

Jayne McCaw specializes in leasing luxury properties in some of Ontario's most exclusive and desirable locations.

Her company, Jayne's Luxury Rentals, has properties on Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, Georgian Bay and numerous other popular destinations.

It also offers rental properties in Oro-Medonte Township right on Lake Simcoe.

One of them, an eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom mansion in Shanty Bay, north of Barrie, was used for filming the television series. MILF Estate last September.

The episode aired on The Learning Channel (TLC) a few weeks ago and has since raised the issue of short-term rentals in the township.

“Oro-Medonte no longer has any restrictions on short-term rentals,” McCaw said. “The production company rented the property for 26 nights without incident.”

McCaw says she has been following the short-term rental issue in Oro-Medonte with great interest.

BarrieToday asked McCaw if she had been told by municipal officials that short-term rentals (STRs) were legal in Oro-Medonte.

“Nobody told me. I have been following the case closely because these decisions could also impact rents in other areas where I work,” she said.

On March 22, the Municipality of Oro-Medonte and the Oro-Medonte Good Neighbours' Alliance dismissed an appeal against an Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) decision regarding short-term rental accommodation in the municipality.

In its decision, the Ontario Superior Court Justice stated that it dismissed the appeal for the following reasons:

• there was no procedural injustice
• The OLT correctly interpreted the existing zoning ordinance and made no legal error when it found that ordinance 2020-073 did not represent good planning.

At the time, Barry Sookman, president of the Oro-Medonte Association for Responsible STRs, said BarrieToday that “the association is satisfied with the result and hopes that it will resolve all legal disputes with the municipality over STRs.”

The house in which MILF Estate was filmed is listed on Vrbo, a property rental website. It is available for daily, weekly, or monthly rentals.

In search of clarity, BarrieToday sent Oro-Medonte officials a link to the ad with the direct question: Is this an illegal short-term rental? Yes or no.

“The municipality is unable to comment on the status of the property referenced in the Vrbo link you provided,” said Jenny Leggett, Oro-Medonte's communications and public relations manager. “I know you are already aware of this, but for current information on short-term rentals, please visit the municipality's website.”

Leggett provided this link.

The full text of the municipality’s update is:

“While the recent decision of the Divisional Court of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice did not support the municipality’s appeal of the 2023 Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) decision, it ends the approach that council took in 2020 to address the challenges associated with short-term accommodation options in the municipality.

Going forward, the council and staff will continue to implement current bylaws and regulations to provide safe and respectful residential communities for the residents of Oro-Medonte.

The municipality maintains its position regarding short-term rental accommodation in Oro-Medonte. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court decision is complex and focuses on specific areas of law and is currently under review to assist with next steps. To view the decision, please read the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court Decision.”

David Johnston, a spokesman for the Oro-Medonte Good Neighbours' Alliance, said the property on which MILF Estate The film was shot in a neighborhood that is designated as a residential area.

“This means that under the 1997 municipal bylaw, it is only permitted for residential use,” meaning it can be occupied by the owner or rented out as a residence, Johnston said. BarrieToday in an email. “So you are engaging in a commercial activity that is not allowed in a residential area.”

“And this is the crucial point in interpreting the zoning regulations: what is not expressly permitted is not permitted,” he added.

Johnston said he wasn't sure, but suggested there might be a provision somewhere in the township's charter that would allow a homeowner to temporarily use their property as a site for a commercial film production.

Municipal officials say there was no such wording.

“There are no provisions in any municipal ordinance that allow a homeowner to temporarily use their property as a site for a commercial film production,” Leggett said.

BarrieToday also asked the municipality whether it would take legal action against the owner of the property, which is in MILF Estatebecause it clearly shows how a residential building is temporarily used as a film production location.

“The municipality does not share any information regarding legal proceedings of any kind,” Leggett said.