Several Planning Board members raised short‑term rental regulation, enforcement and safety during a joint discussion with the Zoning Board of Adjustment representatives and town staff.

A Planning Board member said short‑term rentals “need to be legislated in some way,” and the group reviewed how Plymouth’s existing tourist‑home definition and owner‑occupancy rules interact with state law and the town’s ADU rules. Joseph, planning staff, explained that the town has historically not included permissive short‑term rental language in the zoning ordinance — the existing “tourist home” and owner‑occupancy framework is a carryover that allows some uses by special exception — but that enforcement has been inconsistent where rentals operate in residential zones.

Board members outlined policy alternatives discussed at length: a short‑term rental permit system with annual renewal and safety certifications; temporary special exceptions limited to a defined period (for example, multi‑year or annual permits); clearer enforcement procedures for rooms‑and‑meals tax collection; and a requirement that rental operators demonstrate compliance with life‑safety and fire‑separation standards (the board discussed minimum building separation for detached ADUs and fire access concerns).

Why it matters: Short‑term rentals intersect with housing supply, neighborhood character, safety and tax compliance. The board agreed not to rush legislative changes and instead to fold the short‑term‑rental question into the housing master‑plan outreach and forthcoming public input.

Notable points from the conversation:
- The board discussed a possible temporary or annual permit regime — permitting with renewal requirements is used in other New Hampshire towns as a way to manage short‑term rentals and enforce taxes and safety standards.
- Joseph advised that the state statute governing ADUs and detached accessory units contains owner‑occupancy rules and that detached ADUs used for transient occupancy can raise questions about change‑of‑use; converting an ADU to a short‑term rental could be a change of use subject to review.
- Board members flagged practical enforcement issues: who inspects for life‑safety standards, how on‑the‑ground monitoring occurs, and the difficulty of collecting rooms‑and‑meals tax from homeowner‑managed listings.

Ending: Members agreed to include short‑term rentals and ADU/tourist‑home questions among the upcoming housing master‑plan outreach items and recommended waiting for community input before drafting zoning amendments.