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Winhall Selectboard adopts revised short-term rental ordinance with licensing and fines
Summary
The Selectboard approved a revised Short-Term Rental Ordinance that sets licensing, occupancy, and fee rules, establishes an STR Administrator, and imposes daily civil penalties and waiver fees for violations; the ordinance takes effect 60 days after adoption if not appealed.
The Winhall Selectboard voted April 15 to adopt a revised Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance that creates a licensing program, sets occupancy rules tied to wastewater capacity, and establishes daily civil penalties for violations.
The ordinance, adopted after public input and Selectboard discussion, requires owners to obtain an STR license before operating and sets new-license fees at $500 per bedroom (minimum $1,000, maximum $4,000) and renewal fees at $250 per bedroom (minimum $500, maximum $2,000). It also requires posting a “Good Neighbor Policy,” a safety-and-financial-obligation form, and a copy of the STR license at the rental property. The text ties occupancy to wastewater permits or, absent permitting, to a default calculation (two people per bedroom up to three bedrooms) and requires an Owner’s Agent available within two hours if the owner is not present.
Board members and attendees debated enforcement and penalty mechanics. The ordinance authorizes an STR Administrator to inspect properties, issue Notices of Violation, and pursue enforcement in the Vermont Judicial Bureau or Bennington County Superior Court. Waiver fees for first offenses start at $175 per day for most violations and escalate for repeat violations; false-advertising fines begin at $350 per day and increase for subsequent offenses. The ordinance also permits revocation of licenses after four violations in 12 months.
Julie Isaacs moved to publish and adopt the ordinance; Stacy Eddy-Gordon seconded. Christie Boswell recorded an abstention; the motion carried. The ordinance text (Exhibit A) cites 24 V.S.A. § 2291 and 24 V.S.A. Chapter 59. Per the ordinance, it will take effect 60 days after adoption unless successfully appealed under statute.
