ONTARIO HOME INTEL • MUNICIPAL GUIDE
St. Catharines Property & Homeowner Guide
Property taxes, zoning, building permits, additional dwelling units, short-term rentals, bylaws, and municipal resources for St. Catharines, Ontario.
St. Catharines Property Information at a Glance
Property ownership in St. Catharines is affected by City bylaws, Niagara Region requirements, provincial legislation, and the Ontario Building Code. Local rules can determine how a property may be used, renovated, expanded, rented, or redeveloped.
This guide summarizes key municipal information for buyers, homeowners, landlords, and renovators. Always confirm current property-specific requirements with the City before relying on zoning, permit, taxation, or licensing information.
Last reviewed: September 6, 2026
Explore St. Catharines Property Topics
Property Taxes
Review current municipal tax rates, assessment information, payment options, and how City, Regional, and education taxes contribute to the total bill.
Zoning
Check permitted uses, lot dimensions, setbacks, height, landscaping, parking, and other development standards before making plans for a property.
Building Permits
Determine whether construction, additions, renovations, secondary suites, accessory buildings, or demolitions require approval.
Accessory Dwelling Units
St. Catharines permits additional residential units in qualifying properties and has specific standards for interior and detached ADUs.
Short-Term Rentals
Short-term rentals are licensed and must remain secondary to the property’s primary use as a full-time residence.
Property Standards & Bylaws
Local bylaws may regulate property maintenance, parking, noise, fences, rentals, landscaping, and other activities around a home.
St. Catharines Property Taxes
The City of St. Catharines collects property taxes that fund municipal services as well as Niagara Region and provincial education costs. Most properties in the city are taxed using the urban rate, which includes components for services such as transit and street lighting.
City Council finalized the 2026 combined property tax rate on April 13, 2026. The City’s published tax rates vary by property class, and the applicable rate is multiplied by the assessed value of the property, with certain local improvement levies added where applicable.
Because tax rates change annually, use the City’s current tax calculator or tax-rate table rather than relying on an older year’s bill when estimating future ownership costs.
Zoning in St. Catharines
The St. Catharines Zoning By-law regulates how land and buildings may be used. Typical zoning rules address permitted uses, lot size, building height, setbacks, landscaping, parking, and the location and scale of structures.
The City’s zoning framework is based on Zoning By-law 2013-283, as amended. Property owners can use City zoning maps to identify the zone applying to a property and then review the corresponding standards in the by-law.
A 2024 housekeeping amendment expanded permissions for additional residential units and also permitted duplex, triplex, and fourplex forms in the Low Density – Suburban Neighbourhood R1 Zone, subject to applicable standards.
Building Permits & Renovations
The City issues building permits for many types of residential construction and renovation projects. Zoning should be reviewed before applying because a project must generally comply with both the Ontario Building Code and municipal zoning requirements.
Common Residential Permit Applications
- New houses and residential buildings
- Home additions
- Residential renovations and alterations
- Adding a secondary suite
- Detached garages
- Sheds and accessory structures where permit requirements apply
- Decks and pergolas where applicable
- Residential demolition
The City’s online permit portal accepts many residential applications. More complex projects may require plans, professional drawings, engineering, or other supporting documentation.
Accessory Dwelling Units in St. Catharines
St. Catharines permits additional residential units, often referred to as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, on qualifying properties. These may be located within the principal dwelling or, where permitted, in a detached accessory structure.
The City’s 2024 zoning amendments introduced permissions for two additional residential units associated with detached, semi-detached, and townhouse dwellings, subject to applicable zoning, building, parking, servicing, and site requirements.
Pre-Approved Detached ADU Designs
St. Catharines also offers pre-approved detached ADU designs intended to reduce design costs and streamline building-permit review. Pre-approval relates to Ontario Building Code design compliance and does not guarantee that a particular design will comply with zoning on a specific lot.
Setbacks, lot configuration, height, servicing, parking, and other property-specific requirements still need to be reviewed before construction.
Before Creating an ADU
- Confirm the property’s zoning.
- Determine how many units are permitted.
- Review setbacks, building height, and lot coverage.
- Confirm parking requirements.
- Review water and sewage servicing.
- Obtain required building permits.
- Confirm Ontario Building Code and Fire Code compliance.
Short-Term Rentals in St. Catharines
St. Catharines regulates short-term rental accommodations such as Airbnb and Vrbo properties through both zoning and municipal licensing.
Under the City’s current rules, a short-term rental in a residential area must be secondary to the property’s primary use as a full-time residence. The operator’s primary residence must be the property being used for the short-term rental.
Current STR Requirements Include
- A municipal short-term rental licence is required.
- The property must operate primarily as a full-time residence.
- The operator must use the property as their primary residence.
- A rental period cannot exceed 28 consecutive days.
- One on-site parking space is required per bedroom under current zoning requirements.
- On-street parking cannot be counted toward the required parking supply.
- Supporting documents such as site plans, floor plans, fire information, proof of insurance, and electrical safety documentation may be required.
The City issues STR licences for two-year terms. Licensing requirements and fees can change, so check the current municipal application page before relying on a property for short-term rental income.
Municipal Accommodation Tax
Transient accommodations in St. Catharines are subject to a Municipal Accommodation Tax. The tax applies to qualifying overnight accommodation provided for continuous stays of 30 days or less, including short-term rentals.
Accommodation providers must collect and remit the applicable tax and show it separately on the guest invoice or receipt.
Before Buying or Renovating a St. Catharines Property
- Confirm the property’s zoning designation.
- Review permitted uses and any special exceptions.
- Check whether existing additions or secondary units were legally authorized.
- Confirm building permit requirements before starting construction.
- Review property tax and assessment information.
- Check parking requirements before adding units or changing uses.
- Review municipal bylaws affecting the property.
- Verify short-term rental eligibility before relying on STR income.
St. Catharines Property FAQ
How are St. Catharines property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are based on the applicable tax rate and the assessed value of the property. Municipal, regional, and education components contribute to the total amount, and some properties may also have local improvement levies.
How do I find the zoning of a St. Catharines property?
The City provides zoning maps and the Zoning By-law. Identify the property’s zone on the map and then review the regulations applying to that zone, including any site-specific exceptions.
Can I create a basement apartment in St. Catharines?
Additional residential units may be permitted on qualifying properties, but zoning, building permits, parking, servicing, fire safety, and Ontario Building Code requirements must be satisfied.
Can I build a detached backyard ADU?
Detached ADUs may be permitted on qualifying lots. St. Catharines also provides pre-approved detached ADU designs, but site-specific zoning requirements such as setbacks and lot configuration still apply.
Can I operate an Airbnb in St. Catharines?
Possibly, but the property must satisfy the City’s short-term rental zoning and licensing requirements. Residential STRs must remain secondary to the property’s use as the operator’s primary residence.
Are St. Catharines rules the same as Niagara Falls or Welland?
No. Each Niagara municipality can have different zoning provisions, permit procedures, tax rates, additional dwelling unit standards, and short-term rental requirements.
Explore More Ontario Property Information
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Important: Ontario Home Intel provides general informational content. Municipal bylaws, zoning, tax rates, permit requirements, licensing programs, and incentives can change. Verify property-specific information with the City of St. Catharines or the appropriate professional before acting.