Short-stay accommodation
Council issues permits for prescribed accommodation. For example:
- rooming houses
- hotels
- motels
Domestic scale accommodation, commonly booked online using sites like AirBnB and Stayz, is not considered prescribed accommodation. Property owners don't need a permit from Council as long as the accommodation is:
- self-contained
- contains no more than 9 bedrooms
- accommodates no more than 12 persons.
Contact us about short-stay accommodation
If you have a question or concern about short-stay accommodation, you can contact us. You can use My Port Phillip to send us details anytime. You can also call us during business hours 03 9209 6777.
What is Council's role
We don't regulate providers of short-stay accommodation. We can enforce relevant legislation if activity at a short-stay property is not compliant. This includes:
- Noise regulations in the Environmental Protection Act 2017
- the Victorian Planning Provisions
- our Local Law 2013 (Community Amenity).
Our teams can respond to requests and complaints about:
- noise
- rubbish
- parking
- any other amenity impacts.
In response to feedback from the community, Council has asked for a report that outlines options for regulating and managing short-stay accommodation. The report will be going to Council 4 October 2023, and you can review the recommendations and how you can be involved here.
What you can do
Apartments and owners corporations
The State Government changed the Owners Corporations Act 2006 in 2019. The changes help prevent short-term accommodation in apartment buildings being used to host unruly parties.
Owners corporations and residents can take action against owners and guests. They are held jointly and individually liable for any compensation, fines, and awards for damage to common property.
Further information can be found on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website page on short-stay accommodation.