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Newport Council debates enforcement, fees and data needs for seasonal rentals
Summary
City staff told the council enforcement gaps and weak data limit the city's ability to regulate seasonal rentals (30 days–9 months). Councilors debated raising registration/inspection fees, hiring enforcement staff, buying a tracking system and linking zoning and housing strategies to reduce pressure on year‑round housing.
City staff told the Newport City Council on the continued need to improve enforcement and data collection for so-called seasonal rentals — non-owner-occupied units rented for 30 days to nine months — and proposed a set of measures that could include higher registration and inspection fees, new software and additional enforcement staff.
"Enforcement really is the the driver" said Laura Swistak, summarizing the working group's memorandum and noting the city currently tracks seasonal rentals in a Microsoft Access database while its GovOS system covers only short-term rentals under 30 days. Swistak said that without stronger monitoring and staffing, registration remains effectively an honor system.
Councilors pressed staff on concrete options. One councilor noted registration currently costs $20–$25 total for seasonal units and suggested that low fees create an incentive to reclassify short-term listings as seasonal to avoid higher short-term rental fees. The solicitor warned city fees must be "directly related to the cost that we incur for the administration of the program," and staff said a finance analysis would be required before any fee matching the $1,000 short‑term registration could be adopted.
City management proposed a multi-step approach: identify software to track seasonal rentals and calculate the staffing and enforcement costs; tie a fee to an objective cost analysis; and consider a seasonal or part‑time enforcement position or a full‑time code enforcement officer to expand capacity beyond zoning functions. The manager said any recommendation on fees or penalties would return to council after staff completes the analysis.
Public stakeholders urged stronger outreach and clearer channels to reach property owners and brokers. Hillary Marshall of RE/MAX Newport offered to help push notices through MLS and broker portals to notify agents and property owners of registration requirements. Louise Cardone, a resident who monitors rental listings, said many properties on MLS and other platforms appear unregistered.
Councilors also discussed broader housing implications, including the role of student and military housing in the seasonal rental market and whether zoning or new dormitory construction (a separate process involving Salve Regina and appeals) might relieve pressure on neighborhood housing stock. Several councilors emphasized the need for accurate counts: staff estimated about 278 properties currently registered as seasonal rentals but said total nonregistered units are unknown.
Next steps: staff will research tracking software options, produce a cost analysis tying fees to administrative costs and return with ordinance recommendations and staffing proposals. No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting.
Ending: Council received the memorandum and directed staff to return with concrete recommendations, including potential fee structures and enforcement plans, for a future meeting.
