The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors approved three special exceptions allowing unhosted short-term rentals at properties in Whitestone and Lancaster Creek Drive during Tuesday's meeting.

The board granted permits to Ryder and Heather Moll for 704 Lancaster Creek Drive (tax map 5A-1-B-13, Lots 13 and 14); Michael and Jean Marie McFadden for 661 Little Oyster Lane (tax map 36A-1-6 and 6A); and Jason and Jennifer Little for 219 Dragonfly Drive (tax map 36-48D). Planning staff confirmed the properties met septic and other ordinance requirements and noted two of the applicants are represented by local real estate agents and therefore exempt from the annual registry paperwork.

Several nearby residents testified against the first application, citing a quiet, second-home neighborhood and expressing worries about a revolving door of short-term renters, late-night noise and illicit behavior. Richard Capehart, who said his home sits across the street from 704 Lancaster Creek Drive, told the board: "This street is a quiet neighborhood and we're concerned about the issues of a revolving door of people coming in with late night drinking loudness party." Caroline Kupart recalled a past rental she said was associated with criminal activity. The applicants replied that they screen guests, require multi-night stays, and intend to occupy the property part-time to help manage it.

Staff clarified enforcement and compliance procedures for the board. County counsel and staff described a process by which documented ordinance violations can lead to revocation of a special-exception permit: repeated, substantiated violations can prompt administrative action. The county also explained the difference between the board-granted special exception (which governs use) and the annual registry/transient-occupancy-tax process (which remains a separate requirement).

Board members moved and approved each permit after public comment; the actions were recorded as approved by voice vote. The board noted that even with approvals, the county retains enforcement tools, and that neighbors should report confirmed ordinance violations to county staff and law enforcement.

Why this matters: Short-term rentals have been a recurring issue in waterfront and resort communities. Supervisors must balance property owners' rights and new tourism-driven revenue streams against neighbors' expectations for peace, safety and community character. These decisions set precedents for how the county uses permitting and enforcement to manage short-term rentals.

What comes next: Each approved property must continue to comply with the county's short-term rental rules, pay transient-occupancy taxes, and maintain required septic capacity and inspections as documented in the special-exception process.