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Planning board begins detailed review of short‑term rental rules after survey and public comment
Summary
The Plymouth Planning Board spent the largest portion of the meeting reviewing community survey results and taking public comment on short‑term rentals, directing staff to gather precedent regulations and guidance before drafting local zoning changes.
The Plymouth Planning Board devoted its principal policy discussion on August 7 to whether and how the town should regulate short‑term rentals. Chair Molly McCann introduced survey results and cautioned that "the survey is is not a scientific survey. It's a it's an engagement tool, and it doesn't replace any sort of voting," noting that 22% of responses were from nonresidents and that the input showed divided views on regulation.
Board members and speakers wrestled with definitions and regulatory tools. Planning board member John Crist summarized the practical effect of the current permissive zoning: "So to leave things as they are, the only form of short term rental that is available is, Tourist homes ... They are effectively banned," he said, explaining that permitting short‑term rentals beyond the narrow 'tourist home' definition requires adding explicit permitted language to the zoning ordinance. Zoning Board member Fred Calciamo described how the ZBA has applied the existing owner‑occupancy language unevenly in recent cases, calling the owner‑occupancy test "a little squishy."
Public commenters and board members stressed tradeoffs: some residents described negative neighborhood impacts from noncompliant short‑term properties, while others and some committee members noted that homestays can help residents cover taxes and mortgage costs. Board members discussed options including owner‑occupied limits in residential zones, by‑right permitting with inspections, conditional use permits (CUPs) or special exceptions overseen by the ZBA, and administrative permitting with revocation mechanisms for violations.
Rather than draft amendments at the meeting, the board asked staff to compile precedent examples and clarifying definitions from comparable communities (Lincoln, Keene, New London, Henniker, Tilton, Laconia, Hampton, and out‑of‑state models such as Bozeman) and to report back at the next work session. Chair McCann closed the item by asking staff to bring clear examples of owner‑occupancy definitions, enforcement approaches, and permit types so the board can evaluate specific wording before initiating any ordinance change.
