Wells debates possible short-term rental restrictions
Houses line Moody Beach in Wells in September 2024. Wells is considering an ordinance that would restrict short-term vacation rentals. (Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer)
Wells residents debated the benefits and drawbacks of short-term rentals Tuesday night as the Select Board weighs potential restrictions.
At a public hearing, residents and property owners shared concerns about noise from rented homes, the proposed language that the board is considering, and the potential negative effects of tightening the rules.
The proposed ordinance would require owners of short-term rentals in Wells to secure a use permit and a certificate of occupancy from the town code enforcement officer if they want to list properties on popular vacation rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.
Wells short-term rental proposed ordinance by Maine Trust For Local News
It would also establish a short-term rental overlay district — a specific part of town where such rentals would be allowed. The current proposal would allow them in an area near Route 1, with some exceptions.
Short-term rentals would be defined as any rental lasting less than six months. Hotels and inns would not be included, and rentals for students and temporary workers would also be excluded.
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Sharon Meyers, who rents out a property in town, told the Select Board on Tuesday that although she does not have a position for or against the proposed overlay district, she has a number of concerns regarding logistics. She said some suggestions she had heard, including a possible seven-day minimum requirement, would harm property owners whose standard minimum is three days.
“Because these regulations would be new, I believe it is important the town carefully consider the potential impact before establishing a requirement that could affect property owners, visitors, other lodging and businesses in general,” Meyers said.
She also asked the Select Board to offer short-term rental owners further opportunities to share their opinions before imposing any regulations.
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Other property owners said they have some rentals already booked out a year in advance, and that the 6-month specification could limit their ability to rent properties for the winter.
The board noted that certain properties could be grandfathered in, if the ordinance is enacted.
Chuck Roberts said his neighborhood, Royal Heights, has two homes that are regularly rented out. While it wasn’t a big deal at first, he said, it’s gotten out of hand.
“Now it’s three or four parties in a week, it’s nonstop and you don’t know who the hell they are,” he said. “When does it stop? We’re gonna lose our neighborhoods.”
The Select Board’s next step is a joint public hearing with the Planning Board at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Town Hall, 208 Sanford Road. The two bodies will also host public hearings about a proposed data center moratorium and a mobile home lot rent stabilization effort that same evening.
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Tagged: airbnb, local government, short-term rentals, town ordinance
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University. More by Abigail Driscoll
