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Selectmen move toward rules on short-term rentals as housing concerns grow
Summary
A town committee presented short-term rental recommendations, and the Selectboard instructed staff to draft ordinances and fee/registration options amid broader concern about housing supply; the board also set a $100,000 housing reserve from tax-acquired property sales.
A committee’s study of short-term rentals prompted the Stonington Selectboard to take next steps toward local regulation amid a broader push to protect housing for year-round residents.
At an August meeting the short-term rental committee presented a PowerPoint and recommendations on registration, fee options and distinctions between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals. "Board was presented by the committee an excellent PowerPoint" noted the minutes; the Selectboard thanked committee members and instructed staff to begin drafting ordinance language and related documents for public hearings this fall.
Separately, the board set aside $100,000 from tax-acquired property sales as a housing reserve to support future housing planning and scoping efforts. TM Billings described the reserve as a potential source for housing projects, planning and feasibility work.
Selectmen discussed enforcement and fairness concerns, including whether year-round renters would be penalized; committee members responded that owner-occupied rentals would be treated differently and typically assessed nominal fees.
No ordinance was adopted during the meetings covered by these minutes; the board directed staff and the committee to prepare draft ordinance language and a public hearing schedule. The housing reserve was approved to support longer-term housing initiatives tied in part to short-term rental impacts.
