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Resident urges enforcement of decades-old seasonal rental code, cites safety and fines
Summary
A Saco resident read sections of Chapter 173 of the city code and urged council enforcement of seasonal-rental rules, citing fines of $100–$1,000 per day and concerns about neighborhood character and housing availability.
SACO — During public comment at the May 4 meeting, resident Kathleen Giaggio urged the Saco City Council to enforce a city code governing seasonal rentals, saying the regulation — despite being written in 1999 — remains relevant and describes fines and complaint procedures that should be applied.
Giaggio read portions of Chapter 173 into the record, citing the code’s statement that "the city believes and has found that seasonal rentals, no matter where found, pose a substantial safety risk to our visitor guests," and noted fines described in the code as "no less than $100 per day nor more than $1,000 per day for each violation." She told the council she had raised the issue with code enforcement and had been told staff were "waiting on the legal opinion" that the city administrator had referenced in March.
Giaggio also argued that short-term conversions reduce year-round housing stock and raise prices, saying neighborhood residents want to preserve a quiet residential character. The council did not take formal action on her remarks during the meeting; Giaggio said she was told code enforcement cited limited manpower as a barrier to enforcement.
The council did not announce immediate follow-up action; staff or councilors may return the item to a future agenda if further direction is requested.
