Toronto property owners, thinking about listing properties on short-term rental sites like Airbnb, would only be able to list their principal residence under just released staff recommendations.

The Municipal Licensing and Standards division released the proposals following months of consultation.

(Cole Burston / Canadian Press)

They include, banning people from listing units where they don’t live, amending zoning bylaws to create a separate category called ”short-term rental,” licensing companies such as Airbnb and others, starting a registry of anyone operating a short-term rental unit.

Mayor John Tory says services like Airbnb are here to stay but says city hall needs to regulate how they operate so as to protect affordable housing. 

He adds the city needs to stop those from buying up units with the sole intention of running them as short-term rentals.

”It is taking housing off the market that might otherwise be available for long-term permanent renters as it were.”

The city’s executive committee will debate the proposals at its meeting next Monday, followed by more consultation before city council will vote on them.