Council receives memorandum on prohibition of new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals after extended debate

The Newport City Council received a memorandum from the city manager presenting a proposed plan to prohibit new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals (transient guest facilities) citywide and referred the matter to staff and the planning board for further work.

Councilor Carlin, who introduced the concept in a prior resolution, described the proposal as a citywide prohibition on future short-term rentals that are not owner-occupied and said the measure is intended to protect housing stock and neighborhood integrity. "What I have proposed ... is a prohibition citywide on any future short term rentals ... that are not owner occupied," he said.

Members of the public and multiple councilors offered contrasting views. Tyler Bernadine, identifying himself as a Newport resident, urged caution and pointed to Barnstable County’s approach of creating a registration system and dedicating a portion of rental revenue to municipal needs. "Banning short-term rentals will not create year round housing," Bernadine said. He said taxation or registration that captures revenue could fund housing, enforcement and infrastructure.

Resident Emily Conklin said she lost a long-term lease when a commercial property was converted to a short-term rental, describing a personal impact on housing stability. "I was told that my lease would not be renewed, and now that property is being used as a short term rental," she told the council.

Councilors debated legal and practical limits. Several members said the General Assembly and state law affect local authority and that a statewide approach or changes at the General Assembly might be required to change taxation or broad regulatory authority. Others argued for more targeted local steps including registration, enhanced enforcement and consideration of taxing short-term rentals as commercial properties.

Action taken: The council moved, seconded and voted to receive the city manager’s memorandum; the motion passed by voice vote with at least one recorded nay. No ordinance or ban was enacted at the meeting; the memorandum will be reviewed by city staff and the planning board for potential ordinance drafting and further council action.

Clarifying details discussed in the meeting included claims (from council and staff comments) about the number of registered and available short-term listings in Newport and references to prior city studies showing housing impacts. Council discussion stressed the need for more research, clear ordinance language, and enforcement mechanisms before pursuing a citywide ban.