Not every Ontario city licences long-term rentals. The ones that do write their own rules. Niagara Falls treats vacation units one way. Hamilton focuses on smaller low-rise buildings. St. Catharines and Thorold watch student housing near campuses.
Why cities bother
A licence is a safety pass: alarms, electrical, occupancy, insurance. Skip it in a city that requires one and you can see fines, orders, or a very short conversation with bylaw.
Typical asks
Floor plans, insurance, electrical safety letters, fire checks, and a booking for inspection. Miss an appointment or show peeling paint and loose rails and the file sits.
After you have the paper
Most licences renew yearly. Codes change. Tenants still have to be told how garbage and fire exits work. Leaseopoly can run the file with the rest of full management so the renewal is not a surprise in May.
Confirm the current bylaw for the property’s city before you list it. Rules move.