Group Homes and Lodging Houses

Group Homes and Lodging Houses are regulated by the City of Oshawa for health and safety and consumer protection purposes.

Group Home registration

They City's Group Home Registration By-law requires all Group Homes to be registered with the City on an annual basis.

Definition of Group Home

“Group Home” means a residence licensed or funded under a federal or provincial statute for the accommodation of three to ten persons, exclusive of staff, living under supervision in a single housekeeping unit and who, by reason of their emotional, mental, social or physical condition or legal status, require a group living arrangement for their well being.

Requirements

• Submit a Group Home Application to Municipal Licensing and Standards 
• Group homes must comply with the Zoning By-law

Note: Additional requirements may apply.

Lodging House Licensing

The City's Lodging House Licensing By-law requires all Lodging Houses to be licensed with the City on an annual basis.

• View our list of licensed Lodging Houses.

Definition of Lodging House:

“Lodging House” means a Building or part of a Building, containing three to ten Lodging Units, which does not appear to function as a Dwelling Unit, although one may be included with the Lodging Units. It includes, without limitation, a rooming house and a boarding house, a fraternity house or sorority house. It does not include a Hotel, a Crisis Care Residence, a Hospital, a Group Home, a Correctional Group Home, a Bed and Breakfast Establishment nor a Nursing Home, or Retirement Home, as defined by this By-law.

Requirements

• A Lodging House Application to Municipal Licensing and Standards
• Floor Plans of the building
• Survey of property
• Criminal Report and Judicial Matters Check (for each: Owner, proposed manager, and operators or keepers of property)

Lodging Houses must comply with

• Zoning By-law 60-94 
• Fire Code
• Property Standards By-law 1-2002
• Electrical Safety Code
• Sign By-law 72-96
• A Lodging House may not be within 45 m of another Lodging House.

Note: Additional requirements may apply.