York, a coastal town in Maine, is currently discussing the possibility of implementing regulations for short-term rentals. Next month, residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed ordinance. This ordinance would make it mandatory for all short-term rental units to be registered with the town.
Owners of properties would need to obtain a permit for each of their units. These permits would be subject to inspection and fees every three years. The ordinance also includes rules about how many people can live in a property, as well as requirements for managing trash and parking.
The town began discussing short-term rentals in 2016 and 2017, according to York planning director Dylan Smith. At the time, York was considering being one of the first places to regulate them. However, the debate became too intense, so officials decided to postpone discussing the issue.
Smith mentioned that York examined other towns in Maine, such as Freeport and Kennebunkport, that have already implemented their own regulations. Town officials are saying that the referendum is being done in order to keep a closer eye on short-term rentals and protect the unique qualities of York’s residential neighborhoods.
“Smith said that it’s important to ensure their safety, registration, and that they don’t have a negative impact on the quality of life and character of the town.”
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However, Joe Colwell, a resident of York and member of an opposition group against the referendum, believes that the requirements imposed are too burdensome for property owners who want to earn additional income. He said the group wants the properties to be safe. However, some residents have concerns about a proposed ban on fire pits for smaller short-term rental properties.
“These are individuals who own one rental property,” Colwell explained. “These people would need to follow new rules that impose significant challenges on them, and we would have preferred to have some sort of exemption for existing situations.”
Residents are worried about how York developed the proposed ordinance. They think the town should have created a committee to study the issue before making any decisions.
He referred to a recent study on housing in the entire state, which showed that short-term rentals can have various effects on the availability of local housing. Approximately one-third of the state’s seasonal rental stock consists of affordable homes that an average person from Maine could rent or buy. The research shows that the other options are either too big, too costly, or not feasible.
“Most of the short-term rentals in York are located near the coast, in the harbor, or on the beach,” Colwell explained. “To be honest, affordable housing has not been available in those areas for many years.” The prices have been increasing significantly since the 90s.
If the proposed ordinance is passed, town officials will have an accurate count of short-term rentals. According to rough estimates, there may be around 800 to 900 short-term rentals in York. These rentals could make up about 10% of the town’s housing supply, as mentioned by Smith.
According to Smith, the York proposal does not limit the number of short-term rentals that can be registered in town, unlike other municipalities like Kittery and Bangor. The proposed regulations would allow them in all areas of York.
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