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Londonderry adopts amended short-term rental ordinance with 50-night cap on future unhosted stays
Summary
The Selectboard voted unanimously April 21 to adopt an amended short-term rental ordinance that bans rental arbitrage, requires Knox Boxes and fire-safety measures, caps future unhosted rentals at 50 nights per year, and makes registration requirements effective July 1, 2025.
The Londonderry Selectboard on April 21 adopted amendments to the town’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance, approving new limits and safety requirements intended to protect neighborhood character and public safety. The motion to adopt the ordinance with the noted changes was moved by Taylor Prouty and seconded by James Ameden; it passed unanimously.
Short-Term Rental Administrator Andy Dahlstrom outlined the changes included in the amended ordinance: only property owners (not long-term lessees) may hold STR licenses (a rental-arbitrage ban); Knox Boxes will be required on properties when the property is vacant or unattended; newly purchased properties cannot register as unhosted rentals in the first year of ownership; a cap of 50 rental nights is imposed for future unhosted rentals; a 60-day effective-delay applies unless a petition is filed under 24 V.S.A. § 1973(b); and registration requirements take effect July 1, 2025 (applications accepted beginning May 1, 2025). The ordinance text also specifies fire-safety compliance, occupancy limits tied to lister bedroom counts, insurance requirements and reporting obligations.
The ordinance includes enforcement mechanisms: civil penalties (up to $800 per day for continuing violations), waiver-fee schedules, and authority for issuing municipal officials to pursue complaints at the Vermont Judicial Bureau. The ordinance reiterates owners’ obligations for trash, recycling, and food-waste containers and requires owners to provide 24-hour contact information for a local designated agent when the owner is not in residence.
The Selectboard’s adoption follows staff review and consultation with legal counsel and outside reviewers; the ordinance will be posted and published as required. The town clerk will accept petitions for a permissive referendum within 44 days of adoption if five percent of qualified voters sign a petition seeking a referendum. The Selectboard said registration and enforcement details will be implemented by the designated Short-Term Rental Administrator.
