Council Seeking Feedback: Marketing Levy Bylaw

Municipality of Inverness County Council Seeks Feedback: Marketing Levy Bylaw Amendment

The Council of the Municipality of Inverness County is currently considering an amendment to Bylaw 44: Marketing Levy Bylaw, as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process.

Current Bylaw 44: Authorizes the Municipality to collect a three percent marketing levy on all short-term, fixed-roof accommodations, including hotels; motels; cottages; and online vacation rental platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. The current bylaw requires the owners of online rentals to pay the marketing levy to the municipality independently of the online platform.

Proposed Change: The proposed amendment to the current Marketing Levy Bylaw, suggested by Destination Cape Breton, would make it possible for online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO to collect the marketing levy and remit it to the municipality, taking the additional responsibility off of the host.

About the marketing levy

The marketing levy fee is collected by the Municipality and passed on the Destination Cape Breton to support tourism and marketing efforts in Inverness County. As of January 1, 2024, the Cape Breton Island Marketing Levy is now set at 3% on all fixed-roof tourist accommodations. This includes short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO, etc. that are registered under the Tourist Accommodations Registration Act. To learn more about Destination Cape Breton and the marketing levy, visit destinationcapebreton.com/marketing-levy.

Public Input Welcome

Council invites public input on these proposed changes. Residents may provide written or oral submissions – either in support or opposition – at the next Regular Meeting of Council:

Thursday, May 7th, at 9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers, Municipality of Inverness County Administration Building
375 Main Street, Port Hood.

Written submissions must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 6th, 2026 to:

Debbie Nicholson
375 Main St.
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca

Copies of all municipal bylaws are available online at invernesscounty.ca/government/bylaws/ and in print at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 168.