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Lambertville proposes tighter short-term rental rules, adds occupancy chart and biannual fire inspections
Summary
City staff proposed amendments to short-term rental rules including occupant limits based on square footage, mandatory floor plans for first-time applicants (retroactive), two strikes for revocation, and semiannual fire inspections; council discussed enforcement and administrative burden.
Lambertville staff presented a package of proposed amendments to the city’s short-term rental ordinance meant to tighten occupancy controls and strengthen safety oversight.
Lindsay (staff) told council members that the amendments would add a square-footage-based occupancy chart to determine allowable guests, require submission of a floor plan on first-time applications (and apply the change retroactively), and create penalties that could lead to revocation after two instances of excessive occupancy. The draft ordinance also includes fire-safety inspections twice a year — proposed for March and September — at the Fire Marshal’s request.
The clerk’s office will cross-check listings on commercial platforms against applications and may require architects’ certifications where square footage or room counts are disputed. Lindsay said staff already verifies online listings against applications and will follow an escalation process that begins with phone contact and written notice before pursuing court actions for repeat offenders.
Council members flagged the potential workload and asked whether fees should be adjusted to cover administration; staff said the city would evaluate fee structures after collecting more operational data. Several members said the amendments would be ready for introduction on Oct. 24.
Residents during the second public comment period supported the changes but warned that some tenants may attempt to use one-year leases or other tactics to operate short-term rentals in violation of owner-occupancy rules; staff confirmed the city would continue periodic online monitoring and enforcement.
