A new tax for short-term rentals in Lambton Shores goes into effect January 1, 2026.
The Municipal Accommodations Tax (MAT) applies to places like Airbnbs and hotels and stays that are under 30 days.
Lambton Shores Mayor Doug Cook said the tax is set at four per cent and automatically applies to local businesses.
"It'll apply to the hotels, motels, Airbnbs, (bed and breakfasts), anything that is a short-term rental that is under 30 days in Lambton Shores," Cook said. "It's going to go towards our investment in marketing, tourism projects, special events, and hopefully enhance the visitor experience."
The tax will be collected by the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), and then the funds will be distributed to the municipality.
"We're trying to take the tax burden for marketing and tourism off of the tax base and put it back on the tourism folks that actually come here using our services," Cook said.
The MAT program is expected to bring in somewhere between $400,000 and $500,000 in revenue annually.
