Vaughan: short-term rentals
The City of Vaughan licenses short-term rentals under its own by-law and provides a public way to check whether a property holds a licence. Requirements are set and enforced by the City.
Locations · Ontario
York Region
Nine municipalities north of Toronto, from new towers at the subway's end to small towns and farmland.
York Region is an upper-tier municipality made up of nine local municipalities: Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, King, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury and Georgina. The Region runs services such as York Region Transit, water and regional roads, while each local municipality sets its own zoning, licensing and property by-laws.
The southern cities have grown quickly, with high-rise condominiums now clustered around Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Markham Centre and the Yonge Street corridor in Richmond Hill. Further north, the housing stock shifts to detached family homes, townhouses and rural properties, some on private wells and septic systems. We work with owners, buyers and tenants across that range, and we check the rules of the specific municipality before advising on any property.
Neighbourhoods
Getting to know York Region.
Seven areas, from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to Aurora & Newmarket: the homes in each and how people get around. They describe the area, not offices or properties we hold.
Photograph is illustrative and may not show this neighbourhood.
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
A new downtown at Highway 7 and Jane Street, built around the Line 1 subway terminus that opened in 2017. High-rise condominiums, a bus terminal and new parkland have replaced what was largely industrial land.
Properties in York Region- Typical homes
- New high-rise condominium suites
- Getting around
- Line 1 Yonge–University; Viva Orange and YRT buses
Local property
Property characteristics in York Region.
01
Newer subdivisions
Much of the region's housing was built from the 1980s onward: detached houses, semi-detached homes and freehold townhouses on planned streets. Basement apartments are common, and whether a given unit is registered or legal depends on the local municipality's rules.
02
Transit-oriented condominiums
Towers around Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Highway 7 and Yonge Street offer a newer rental product close to the subway and Viva bus rapid transit. Most were first occupied after November 15, 2018, which affects how rent increases are governed.
03
Towns and rural properties
Historic main streets in places such as Unionville, Aurora, Newmarket and Stouffville sit within a short drive of farmland and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Rural homes may rely on wells and septic systems, which deserve inspection before purchase or lease.
Communities
Where we focus.
- VaughanWoodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg, Concord and part of Thornhill, plus the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
- MarkhamUnionville, Cornell, Markham Village and the growing Markham Centre.
- Richmond HillDetached neighbourhoods and new mid- and high-rise buildings along Yonge Street.
- Aurora & NewmarketHistoric main streets and family neighbourhoods on the Yonge and Davis corridors.
- King, Whitchurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury & GeorginaSmaller towns, lakeside communities on Lake Simcoe and rural properties.
Getting around
Transit and access.
TTC Line 1
Runs north to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, connecting Vaughan to downtown Toronto.
Viva bus rapid transit
York Region Transit's rapid routes run along Yonge Street, Highway 7 and Davis Drive in dedicated lanes where built.
GO Transit
The Barrie, Richmond Hill and Stouffville lines connect York Region communities to Union Station.
Service levels and routes change. Check the operator before relying on a route.
Market context
Reading the York Region market
We have not found a single, regularly published York Region rent figure that we can verify and keep current, so we do not show one. TRREB's condominium rental report covers York Region as part of its wider market area, and its GTA-wide figures appear on our Market Insights page.
In practice, York Region rents tend to track the type of home more than the municipality. A new one-bedroom condominium near the subway competes with downtown Toronto suites, while a three-bedroom house or a basement apartment in a family neighbourhood is priced against similar homes nearby.
For owners and buyers
Considerations in York Region.
- York Region purchases pay the provincial Land Transfer Tax only; Toronto's Municipal Land Transfer Tax does not apply.
- Each local municipality sets its own zoning, second-unit and licensing rules. Thornhill straddles Vaughan and Markham, so check which municipality a property is in.
- Vaughan licenses short-term rentals under its own by-law; confirm current rules with the municipality before any short-stay use.
- Ontario's planning changes allow additional residential units on many serviced residential lots, subject to local zoning and the Ontario Building Code. Registration and permits remain each municipality's responsibility.
- Rural properties may rely on a private well and septic system, which should be inspected and tested before purchase or lease.
- Many newer condominiums were first occupied after November 15, 2018 and are exempt from the provincial rent-increase guideline.
Applicable rules
Ontario: additional residential units
Provincial changes made under the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 permit up to three residential units on many serviced residential lots. Local zoning, building permits and any registration requirement still apply, and they differ between municipalities.
Ontario: residential tenancies
Tenancies across York Region are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Rent increases, deposits, entry, notices and termination follow the Act, and disputes are heard by the Landlord and Tenant Board.
This information is general and educational. It is not legal, tax, accounting or investment advice, and rules change. Confirm requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before acting.
Questions
York Region questions
Is a basement apartment in York Region legal?
It depends on the property and the municipality. A basement unit needs to meet zoning, the Ontario Building Code and the Fire Code, and some municipalities also require registration. Ask the owner for permits or registration details before signing a lease or buying.
Do you work across all nine York Region municipalities?
We review enquiries across York Region. The southern municipalities of Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill account for most rental demand, but we also consider homes in the northern towns.
How do I get from York Region to downtown Toronto without a car?
Line 1 of the TTC subway runs to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. GO trains on the Barrie, Richmond Hill and Stouffville lines run to Union Station, and Viva rapid buses connect to subway stations. Schedules and service levels vary by line and time of day.
Nearby markets
Around York Region.
Toronto
Six former municipalities, one city, and the deepest rental market in the country.
Greater Toronto Area
Peel, Halton and Durham: the cities and towns that ring Toronto, each with its own rules.
Kingston
Limestone heritage, a university district, and steady demand from institutions.
York Region