Best Practices

1. Guest Education & Orientation

• Provide guests with a Cottage Stay Manual (email or available at cottage) that includes:

  • Emergency contact information, including phone number and email. 
  • Medical access information, including location of a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher(s) in the cottage.
  • Highlighting relevant local by-laws (www.pelee.org/municipality/by-laws/) and noise expectations, and requesting respect for neighbours.
  • Fire safety exit plan (www.oafc.on.ca/public-safety/fire-escape-plans).
  • Location of flashlights and spare batteries. 
  • Information about Pelee Island’s unique ecology and conservation.
  • Advise of areas not permitted to swim due to undertows and rip currents, including Fish Point and Lighthouse Point, that there are no lifeguards at public beaches, and if unsure of water safety conditions, its best to be cautious and avoid swimming. 
  • Community map (www.pelee.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024PeleeIslandTourismBrochureMap-Web.pdf).
  • Community emergency and service information (www.pelee.org/tourism/island-services/).

2. Quiet Enjoyment & Neighborhood Relations

• Encourage quiet hours between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., particularly if cottage is situated close to neighbours.

• Discourage loud music and large parties/gatherings that disrupt the peace of neighbours.

• Require guests with an outdoor pet(s) to contain the pet(s) to the property by leash or use of fencing.

• Provide owner contact info to address an immediate concern of neighbours or guests. It is recommended that neighbours also have owner contact info in case situations arise with guests. 

3. Environmental Stewardship

• Use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies.

• Minimize single-use plastics.

• Encourage guests to "leave no trace" (nothing left behind, do not litter).

• Provide recycling bin(s) and advise guests of location of Transfer Station.

• Encourage responsible use of public beaches and trails.

• Provide information about protected species on the island. 

• Protect local flora and fauna by maintaining natural landscaping around cottage where possible.

4. Property Maintenance & Safety

• Ensure there is an emergency contact available for stays, included in your Cottage Stay Agreement and Cottage Stay Manual.  

• Keep property in a safe condition.

• Provide an adequate water sanitation system if not connected to municipal water.  
• Prior to stay, advise guests if water is not drinkable/tested at cottage, including posting a public health sign in kitchen that tap water is not drinkable (www.myhealthunit.ca/en/health-topics/resources/Drinking-water-/Do-not-drink-Tap-Posting---Sign---1.pdf).
• Require guests to bring portable drinking water and/or provide portable drinking water if water is not drinkable/tested at the cottage. 
• Provide emergency portable drinking water, to be accessed by guests in case of emergency. Include location of emergency portable drinking water in Cottage Stay Manual.   

• Ensure smoke detector(s), carbon monoxide detector(s), and fire extinguisher(s) are functioning and accessible, for each floor of cottage, including in kitchen. 

• Require guests to bring child safety measures, including child safety gate, baby monitor, crib/playpen, and proper age appropriate booster seat for meals, if applicable. 
• If provide bunk beds, provide print-out in Cottage Stay Manual of https://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/H46-2-05-397E.pdf and requirement that children be at least 6 years old to use the top bunk.
• Ensure guests know if owners use pest bait within the cottage, that they are child-proof, and the location(s) of the bait.   
• Provide two flashlights (and spare batteries) in case of emergency, including power outage. Include location of flashlights and batteries in Cottage Stay Manual.     
• Provide emergency second floor foldable outdoor ladder, if applicable. Include location of ladder in Cottage Stay Manual.  
• Include fire safety exist plan in Cottage Stay Manual (www.oafc.on.ca/public-safety/fire-escape-plans).
• Provide first-aid kit at cottage (www.redcross.ca/training-and-certification/first-aid-tips-and-resources/first-aid-tips/kit-contents).  First-aid kits should not be reachable by children unless containing no harmful contents to children. Include location of first aid kit in Cottage Stay Manual.  
• Require at least one guest to be at least the age of majority and willing to take responsibility for all underage guests. 
• For each stay, obtain name of guest(s), current residential address, phone number, and vehicle license plate no. if applicable. 
• Limit vehicle use by guests to the appropriate number of vehicles provided by your cottage's driveway. Discourage parking by guests on public roads outside of the cottage.  
• Remove any potential safety hazards on pathways, docks, or decks.
• Ensure adequate external lighting for guests at night time.  
• Store hazardous materials, including any toxic cleaning supplies, out of reach from children. 
• Advise of parental supervision of children's swimming, including information on areas of island not permitted and not recommended for swimming.
• Require at least one guest has a functional cell phone during stay, if a landline is not available at the cottage.  
• Lock outdoor sheds on cottage property that contain sharp tools and/or chemicals.  
• Require guests staying for the annual Pheasant Hunt on Pelee Island to comply with safety requirements published by the municipality, including proper firearms accreditation under Canada's Firearms Act (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/f-11.6/). 
• Require safe storage of firearms in the cottage that are used by guests partaking in the annual Pheasant Hunt on Pelee Island.
• Advise of parental supervision of children's use of community property, including public playground and beaches. 
• Recommend that guests bring flotation devices for those that would require these at their own home if swimming.
• Provide indoor fire safety information (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/avoid-wood-smoke.html) and outdoor campfire safety information (https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety), if applicable, in Cottage Stay Manual.  

5. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure Cottage Stay Agreement complies with local by-laws (www.pelee.org/municipality/by-laws/) and provincial regulations.

• Obtain an agreed upon Cottage Stay Agreement for each stay which clearly outlines the responsibilities of the owner and guest(s), including: 
  • Reservation and payment details. 
  • Additional fees and charges, if applicable. 
  • Limit in guest occupancy. 
  • Arrival and departure times. 
  • Check-in and check-out procedures.
  • General use requirements. 
  • Prohibited uses, if applicable, including prohibited indoor smoking. 
  • Details of water consumption at cottage, including if portable drinking water is required at cottage. 
  • Expectations of what to bring to cottage, including water shoes if swimming in rocky areas.  
  • Emergency contact information, including phone number and email. 
  • Information on emergency resources on island, location of first aid kit, and required cell phone.
  • Requirements for firearm safety if guests partake in the annual Pheasant Hunt on Pelee Island. 
  • Cancellation policy. 
• Maintain proper home insurance which includes sufficient third party bodily injury liability.

• Display any required permits or documents, if applicable.

6. Responsible Occupancy Limits

• Adhere to reasonable occupancy limits based on sleeping capacity, septic system capabilities, and local by-laws. 

• Include your occupancy limit in the Cottage Stay Agreement. 

7. Community Contribution

• Encourage guests to support local businesses and island events.

• Participate in island conservation initiatives when possible.

8. Transparency & Communication

• Be open to feedback from other members and the community.

• Share constructive ideas and concerns with Directors ahead of the Annual General Meeting.

9. Self-Regulation & Peer Support

• Strive for high standards without the need for external enforcement.

• Help fellow members resolve issues informally and respectfully.

• Use the Annual General Meeting as a forum to improve shared practices and strengthen the association.