there's this situation in Freedom, where a couple, James and Susan Cotter, are taking the town's short-term rental ordinance to the New Hampshire Housing Appeals Board. These folks split their time between Freedom and Massachusetts, and they're represented by a lawyer who previously won a case against Conway's attempt to regulate short-term rentals.
The Cotters are challenging the town's new rules on short-term rentals, saying that their use of their property was established before these rules came into play. They've got a hearing scheduled for October, and you can even join in via Webex.
The town passed its short-term rental ordinance last year and started sending warnings to short-term rental owners like the Cotters. The Cotters are being backed by an association that supports responsible vacation rentals.
The case is centered around whether the town can impose these new regulations and if the rules even apply to the Cotters. They're arguing that the town can't restrict the number of days they legally rent out their home, based on a previous court ruling.
The town, on the other hand, believes that they can regulate short-term rentals and that property owners who want to rent more than 90 days a year need to get a conditional use permit. They say it's about ensuring public health, safety, and the environment.
Both sides have their legal arguments, and it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out. This is becoming a trend in New Hampshire towns, and this case could set a precedent for how short-term rentals are regulated in the future.