Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hearing set March 16 on short‑term rental registration; Westbrook Chamber updates tourism advocacy
Summary
Meri Wick briefed the group on legislative work: a March 16 hearing will consider requiring short‑term rentals to register with the state; Wick said this would recognize short‑term rentals as businesses for occupancy‑tax purposes and noted enforcement challenges for municipalities.
Meri Wick reported on recent chamber and legislative engagement, including testimony on tourism and comment about occupancy taxes. She told the commission there will be a hearing on March 16, 2026, for a bill addressing short‑term rentals and said, "This bill would require that short‑term rental properties register with the State."
Wick explained that short‑term rentals operating on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO often are not subject to the same health or licensing reviews as lodging properties and that the proposed registration aims to recognize them as businesses for occupancy‑tax purposes. She warned municipalities may find administration and enforcement difficult and offered to send a link for written testimony.
Wick also noted that Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce named Jill Peterson its new executive director and that Westbrook had placement in several Shoreline Times issues and on the publication's app.
