Select Board debates $150 administrative fee and nonrefundable clause for short‑term rental permits
Summary
Londonderry officials discussed adding a $150 administrative fee for declined STR applications and whether to make the fee nonrefundable once processing begins; the board directed staff to draft clear language and consider limited refunds only for cases where the applicant had not been operating a rental without a license.
The Londonderry Select Board reviewed proposed changes to the short‑term rental (STR) fee schedule, including a $150 administrative charge in cases where an application is denied or processing proceeds beyond initial screening.
A working‑group member explained the fee is intended to cover staff time for review and inspections, saying "the fee, if it had been paid, would be refunded minus a $150 to cover several hours of work." Board members debated whether the application fee should be nonrefundable once processing begins or refundable in limited "discovery‑phase" cases where an applicant had not been operating an unlicensed rental. Several members favored clear, prominent language that would change applicant behavior and reduce unnecessary refunds.
The board discussed allowing narrow exceptions when an applicant had not engaged in renting activity and noted that paying an application fee does not substitute for a license. Members directed staff to prepare revised fee‑schedule language and bring it back for consideration at a future meeting.
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