An article in today's Conway Daily Sun (click here to read article) discusses a petition article that, if passed, would regulate short-term rentals to 30 days or less. Here is a quick summary of the article:
- Article Focus: A petitioned warrant article proposed by Sun Publisher Mark Guerringue, aiming to regulate short-term rentals (STRs) in Conway.
- Article Provisions:
- Limits the use of one- and two-family homes in residential areas for short-term rentals to 30 calendar days per year unless they meet state safety code standards.
- Excludes seasonal rentals (90+ days) and traditional long-term rentals, as well as multi-family homes and condo complexes.
- Public Hearing and Voting: Scheduled for a public hearing on January 25 and will be voted on in April.
- Definition of STR: Any property rented for more than 30 days per year that isn’t a long-term lease.
- Safety Compliance: STRs exceeding 30 days must comply with state safety and fire codes.
- Article Objectives:
- Balances property rights and controls the STR investor trend.
- Aims to discourage investors from converting homes into hotels.
- Seeks to slow down property value inflation caused by investors.
- Legal Drafting: Attorney Chris Meier drafted the article, focusing on legal viability.
- Enforcement: Utilization of databases tracking STRs and tax records for enforcement.
- Town's Proposal: A separate warrant article for inspecting and certifying long- and short-term rentals, also to be voted on in April.
- Support and Opposition:
- Planning and budget committee members support the article.
- The Mt. Washington Valley Association for Responsible Rentals criticizes its enforceability and practicality.
- Questions raised about the exclusion of certain residential areas and the impact on existing STRs.
- Grandfathering Clause: Debate over the application of grandfathering to existing STRs.