Shortway renews call for STR regulation

VERNON — Vernon Township Mayor took a stronger stance against short-term rentals on Monday, including introducing the idea of a 6 percent occupancy tax and permit fee, and demanded the council take action.
The council gave no inclination what action, if any, it will take.
Short-term rentals were scheduled to be one of the first items up for discussion on Monday night’s agenda, but that didn’t stop Shortway from tackling the issue immediately following the start of the session, by requesting that the Mayor’s Comments portion of the meeting, usually reserved for the end of the night, be moved up to the start so he could attend to a family matter.
“We strive for voluntary compliance, but that goal is not realistic. Enforcement is required,” Shortway began. “Short-Term rentals need to be regulated, but generally not prohibited.”
Shortway outlined some of his biggest concerns.
“I have received complaints from residents about so-called, party houses,” Shortway said.
Party houses are one of the biggest complaints about STR companies such as Airbnb have faced. A group of people rent out a whole house just to throw a party, causing not only a public disturbance, but endangering the welfare of neighbors and party-goers alike.
Shortway laid out in detail how he would like the possible ordinance to regulate STR’s.
“These short-term rentals can severely impact neighbors, and drive down near-by home values,” Shortway said.
“Short-term renters may not always know, or follow local rules,” Shortway said, “resulting in public safety risks, noise issues, trash, and parking problems for residents.”
Shortway also expressed concerns that an increase of unregulated STR’s could turn established neighborhoods into neighborhoods of transients. Shortway also acknowledged that STR not only effect neighborhoods, but local business as well.
“The absence of proper regulation causes tension between STR landlords and their neighbors,” Shortway said. “Local service jobs are jeopardized from unfair competition from unregulated and untaxed short-term rentals, which reduce demand for local bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels.”
“Enforcement is required, and that costs money,” Shortway said. “The taxpayers should not pay for regulating and inspecting these rentals. The host should pay through a 6 percent occupancy tax and permit fee.”
“The STR’s are businesses,” Shortway then stated.
Shortway then laid out his plan for regulating STRs, which includes a $250 yearly registration fee to cover costs of licensing and inspections.
Shortway also recommended that an official Short-Term Change of Occupancy (CO) form be obtained by the host for every new renter. Required for a new CO will be the name, age, and gender of each occupant on the property, for public safety concerns, and to prevent overcrowding. This form will be available online.
Other restrictions proposed by Shortway would be the limitation of hosts to rent their property for no more than 30 days for one CO, and no more than 220 days total per year.
As a penalty, Shortway requested that, “three quality of life violations at the property will result in forfeiture of license for the remainder of that year, and the subsequent year.”
Council member Sandra Ooms and Council President Jean Murphy questioned the ability of the township to be able to regulate lake communities.
“I don’t want to take their sovereignty away,” Shortway replied, “but I’m not an attorney. I gave you guys (the council) my suggestions, you have to let me know what you want." How do you guys feel about it? It can’t all be me, you’re the governing body, you have to let me know what you think.”
Shortway remarked that he had little feedback from the council since first presenting the possible STR ordinance earlier this month.
Frustrated, Shortway exited the meeting early as planned. When it came time for the council to discuss STRs, Ooms suggested, “shouldn’t we not wait for the (lake) communities to decide what they want to do before we act first on this?”
“I don’t know that we’re going forward with anything,” Murphy responded.