Board drafts household occupancy approach to comply with state rule while accounting for seasonal housing: recommends sewer/septic distinctions

The Planning Board reviewed a proposed amendment to section 202 (definitions) on Sept. 10 that would update the town’s household occupancy rules to conform with a recent state change limiting unrelated occupants while tailoring town rules to local infrastructure and seasonal population patterns.

Peter presented a one‑page memo noting the state now allows localities to set a cap consistent with state requirements and that the town should consider sewer and septic capacity in lieu of a single cap. The proposal discussed by the board used dormitory plumbing ratios for properties connected to public sewer or a similarly sized centralized wastewater system (one shower per eight occupants; one water closet/lavatory per ten occupants) and proposed an upper cap of 16 occupants on sewered properties. For properties served by on‑site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) or cesspools, the draft would use the septic design assumption of two persons per bedroom.

Board members asked about how “bedroom” is defined; the group referenced the short‑term rental and town/building code definition: a bedroom is “any room in a residential structure greater than 70 square feet…susceptible to present or future use as a private sleeping area,” including privacy and egress requirements such as an egress window. Members expressed concern that room labeling might be used to increase occupancy and discussed enforcement and whether the new language should include an explicit bedroom definition.

Members also discussed public‑health considerations tied to seasonal population: Peter said the town’s seasonal pattern—higher summer occupancy and more outdoor time—reduces some public‑health concerns compared with more densely occupied year‑round communities, but members asked for clearer drafting to explain that rationale. The board instructed staff to rework the language with clearer household‑density provisions, include a bedroom definition, and prepare a revised section for the next meeting or for submission to the Town Council. The board did not adopt final language at this meeting.