What are Short-Term Rentals (STRs)?

• STRs are residential dwellings that are rented whole or in part for fewer than 30 days .

• In a hosted STR the owner/host lives at the same property as the unit that is being rented.

• In an unhosted STR the owner/host does not live at the property that is being rented and is not present on the property during the time guests are present.

Why have STRs proliferated so rapidly?

• Airbnb, VRBO and other online resources make it very easy for a property owner to rent a house or a part of a house.

• Property owners can make a lot of $$ renting the property as an STR. If the property is a second home (and often it is), the rental income can pay the mortgage, taxes, etc.

• Renters may like to have a large living space, including a kitchen. Some STRs have an occupancy > 10 people, which makes them attractive for large reunions and parties.

What is the downside of STRs?

• STRs may put established hotels and B&Bs our of business

• The ability of renters to cook at STRs may decrease the likelihood that the renters will spend money at local restaurants

• Owning and operating STRs can be very profitable, which has disturbed the housing market

  • homes that were previously available as long-term rentals have become STRs.

  • A hot STR market drives up home prices.

    • There are fewer affordable homes available for local residents to purchase.

    • Tax assessments increase as home values increase

• STRs are not always “good neighbors”, causing nuisances with noise, light, parking and waste. This decreases the quality of life for neighboring homeowners.

What can be done to balance the benefits and
harm produced by STRs?

• Limit the number of STRs to a percentage of the housing units

• Enforce strict requirements for how STRs are operated

• Collect a reasonable fee from STR owners to cover the town’s expenses for providing oversight of STR rentals

• Treat STRs as businesses, because they are!

• Listen to its residents! Broad community input is important so that there can be a proper balance between the economic benefits of STRs to their owners and the potential harm to the rest of the community.

The Wilmington Short-Term Rental Regulations Committee made recommendations, but were ignored

In March of 2023, Wilmington’s previous supervisor, Roy Holzer, announced the launch of a Short-term Rental Regulations Committee, a group of local volunteers who were given the task of making recommendations for improvements to the Short-term Rental Regulations that were approved by the town in September, 2021. The committee submitted its recommendations in October, 2023.. These recommendations included many good ideas, including STR policies already approved by other communities. The recommendations were discussed by the Town Board in March, 2024, but the Town Board did not take any action to approve them or incorporate any of the recommendations into the existing STR regulations. Supervisor Smith and others were critical of the recommendations. Not surprisingly, the recommendations cannot be found on the Town of WIlmington’s website. But, you can find them here.