By Emily Sturtevant
Eagle Times Correspondent
SUNAPEE, N.H. — Tensions in Sunapee continue to rise as a ban on short-term rentals brews discontent between rental owners and the Sunapee Board of Selectmen.
On March 14, the board passed an article banning all short-term rentals within its Rural Residential Zone, with some exceptions. This ordinance replaced an ordinance allowing short-term rentals throughout Sunapee.
The decision has been controversial.
The Lake Sunapee Short Term Rental Association has been pressuring the board to defend property-owners’ rights. In response to its complaints, as well as those of short-term rental owners, the Board of Selectmen voted on April 17, to grandfather all short-term rentals that existed prior to Dec. 1, 2022, allowing the to continue to be rented.
Any short-term rentals started after that point are now required to be registered with the Zoning Board of Adjustment, but only if considered a “special exception.” This special exception can only be obtained by following guidelines, such as limiting rental occupancy to two guests per bedroom.
If a short-term rental owner manages to adhere to all restrictions, they must still pay a $350 permit fee per rental property. Fees are also incurred for lost guest passes and more. With all of these fees and restrictions, short-term rental owners have been pushing for change.
On June 26, the board again discussed again short-term rentals. A resident attending the meeting asked a question regarding the details of the ordinance, to which Town Manager Shannon Martinez began responding.
But, Selectman Frederick Gallup proceeded to interrupt both Martinez and the resident.
“All you’re doing is making the rest of us mad here,” yelled Gallup. “I’m sick of it.”
When the board chair asked him to stop yelling, his reply was just as exasperated.
“I’m going to speak the way I see fit,” he said.
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