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City council on Wednesday approved new restrictions that will make short-term rentals in urban and suburban areas illegal unless the rental unit is someone’s primary residence.

It means investors who have scooped up homes to rent specifically for short-term rentals, like those advertised through Airbnb, won’t be able to use those units for high-turnover tenants.

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Short-term rental units in Ottawa’s rural communities could win an exception to the restriction.

Council supported a motion by councillors Eli El-Chantiry and George Darouze directing staff to create a waiver for the rural area so those communities can continue to have short-term rentals in secondary units and coach houses.

Darouze, who represents Osgoode ward, warned council against writing rules without considering how they might impact all areas of the city. Many travellers seek out accommodations specifically in the rural areas where there isn’t a large supply of short-term accommodations, he said.