As summer approaches and people think about getting away or hosting parties, short-term rentals have become a popular option. While many are doing well, some turn into problems for the rest of the neighborhood, and municipalities are empowered to respond.
In 2019, Airbnb reported that New London County properties rented through the service had 44,600 guests and $6 million in total host revenue, or $134.53 per guest on average. Windham County hosted 2,600 guests and $400,000 in host revenue, or $153.85 per guest on average. With how lucrative it is, cities and towns are trying to figure out how to approach this industry.
Since the pandemic, the number of short-term rental units has increased by 2.6% nationally, although bookings have fallen significantly, from 425.5 million nights in 2019 to 242.7 million nights in 2020. However, 2021 saw an upturn, with the first quarter seeing a 13% increase. bookings compared to 2021, as reported in the Southeast Connecticut Governmental Council’s White Paper on Connecticut Short-Term Rental Regulations.
More recently, Griswold has worked on the regulation of short-term rental properties. During its June meeting, the ordinance committee will discuss and possibly draft an ordinance, which first Griswold coach Dana Bennett described as “80 per cent there”.
“We’re looking at doing it through an ordinance so we can better enforce it at some point and include people in the city who are currently doing it,” Bennett said.
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Griswold town planner Mario Tristany said many of the short-term rental complaints he hears relate to property on Osga Lane, which is a private road that leads directly to the pond water Pachaug. Since last year it has been known to host parties.
“A lot of Osga Lane neighbors complain about the number of vehicles showing up for short-term rentals on weekends,” Tristany said.
Since Osga Lane is also a dirt road, Bennett said the excess traffic, which could reach 25 cars, could create noise and parking problems, as well as problems with access to houses.
Currently, Tristany said it is difficult to enforce complaints because no city staff work weekends.
At the regional level, Justin LaFountain, planner II for the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, said there has been much discussion on the topic, noting that the pandemic has increased the use of short-term rentals. term.
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“People didn’t want to stay in hotels,” LaFountain said. “People wanted to stay in a smaller place where they could be alone without having to interact with other people.”
LaFountain said how short-term rental regulations are handled varies, as some have used ordinances and zoning regulations, while others have taken a hands-off approach.
A town in the council area with settlements is Ledyard. Planner Juliet Hodge said her city instituted an ordinance, which was later replaced by a zoning bylaw approved in February. Ledyard requirements include the landlord living in the rented property, having a special permit, having written rules and no off-street parking.
“It’s typical ‘don’t be a nuisance’ regulation,” Hodge said.
Hodge also said the city would discuss relaxing regulations to allow people to operate short-term rentals at properties they don’t reside in but live within a half-hour or one-minute drive. hour drive, “so they can get to the spot if there is a problem.”
“I understand it’s a good opportunity to make some extra money, but it’s a bit difficult to regulate when the owner isn’t on site, but hopefully we can figure that out,” Hodge said.
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Hodge noted that there are only a few “problem plots” in town, which the city has yet to hear about for clearance, and the city is beginning the application process on those spots.
“Hopefully in six months everyone who wants to do one will have a permit, and everyone else won’t,” Hodge said.
Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom said the city was working on a short-term rental order, but that was shelved until the city resolved legal issues with a landlord, Natalie Lee, who owns several short-term rental properties in town that have received complaints.
“It’s a repeating pattern with her,” Nystrom said. “She ignores proper zoning everywhere she goes, apparently.”
However, Nystrom said Norwich should adopt a policy that allows short-term rentals because it helps landlords pay taxes and maintain their properties. The other hosts were more cooperative.
“They don’t bother neighbors, they don’t create traffic problems, they don’t block (roads for firefighters),” Nystrom said. “That’s what concerns us the most.”
However, Tristany said short-term rentals go against zoning regulations and can become problematic over time.
“In my professional opinion, if it’s not allowed, it shouldn’t be there,” Tristany said.
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