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Woodbury starts drafting short-term rental and tree ordinances; timeline aims for November town meeting
Summary
The Board of Selectmen asked staff to research a short-term rental ordinance (citing Roxbury as a legal model) and directed the Shade Tree and Sidewalk Committee to draft a tree ordinance for possible inclusion in November; a working group will include the Town Planner, Fire Marshal and Building Inspector.
WOODBURY, Conn. — The Woodbury Board of Selectmen on June 23 directed staff to begin drafting a short-term rental ordinance and asked the Shade Tree and Sidewalk Committee to prepare a tree ordinance for potential consideration at the November town meeting.
First Selectman Paul Zulpa said the Town Planner will convene a working group that includes the Fire Marshal, Janet Morgan, and the Building Inspector, Gary Testa, to research state statutes and draft regulations. Board discussion noted that municipalities cannot ban short-term rentals outright but can regulate them for public-health and safety reasons, and Roxbury’s ordinance was cited as an example of an approach that withstood legal scrutiny.
Board members identified likely elements to include: enforcement tools for noise and parking complaints, safety standards and registration or tracking mechanisms. Selectman Karen Reddington-Hughes recommended developing a noise ordinance at the same time because Woodbury currently has none. The board set an internal timeline indicating a draft must be completed by late September or early October to permit public hearings before the November town meeting.
On tree protections, the board supported a proposal to manage trees on public rights-of-way, parks and town lands, with the Tree Warden serving as the primary authority and a permit process for most work. The Shade Tree and Sidewalk Committee was asked to prepare draft language by September for potential inclusion in the November meeting materials.
What happens next: The Town Planner will coordinate the working group, the Town Attorney will review drafts, and the board expects public hearings before any ordinance is finalized.
