Communities Debate Short-term Rentals

Many communities around the country are debating restrictions or prohibitions for short-term rentals.

It appears that despite the poor economy and tight municipal budgets, short-term rentals are targeted as the cause of all nuisances with little to no economic benefit to the community.

Below are links to short-term rentals in the news.

Along the shores of Lake Michigan, resort communities are considering grand-fathering current rentals but prohibiting new rentals.

Marco Island, FL - ordinance proposes defining short-term rentals as one week to six months; and "Ken Honecker, a neighbor to a nuisance rental, said strict enforcement of current state laws against nuisance properties, whether renter or owner-occupied, could solve the problem."

In Newport, WI a resident living next to a short-term rental want the town to "do something" about the rentals, the town stated that if it did something it would likely get sued, the resident thought better the town than me.

Short-term rentals on the rise in Kissimee, FL and surrounding communities are a welcome bright spot in an economy dependent on tourism.

Massachusetts considers expanding the room occupancy tax to include rentals of second homes, condominiums, and time shares.