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Select Board debates short-term rental rules, keeps fire-safety standards and defers local building-code enforcement
Summary
The board debated how a short-term rental ordinance should intersect with state building codes, agreed to retain fire-safety requirements (smoke detectors, egress) and consider biannual inspections with self-certification in off years, but deferred local building-code enforcement until authority is adopted after town meeting.
The Select Board discussed a draft short-term rental (STR) ordinance and whether it should require local enforcement of the state building code. S4 told the board that for zoning purposes the Supreme Court has classified STRs as residential (single-family) and cautioned against treating them as hotels or motels.
"For zoning purposes at least, short term rentals...are a single family residence," S4 said, arguing the draft language treating STRs like hotel businesses may not withstand legal scrutiny. The board nevertheless agreed to keep fire-safety requirements—smoke detectors, clear egress, and fire extinguishers—to protect guests.
Members discussed inspection cadence and permit fees. S4 recommended an annual permit fee (proposed $100) to cover administrative and database costs, with inspections every other year and a self-certification option for off years. S6 said local building-code enforcement would make it easier to track interior modifications (bedroom conversions, changed stairways) that affect safety but acknowledged the town currently lacks adopted local building-code authority.
The board directed staff to reconcile STR language with the town's building-code authority before final adoption and to consider outreach and education for property owners. No final ordinance vote was taken; the board intends to revisit the draft after staff incorporate the clarified fire-safety and enforcement-process language and after town meeting decisions about building-code authority.
