Where Do We Stand on STRs?
A quick primer on Sunapee Short Term Rentals (STR).
Fall 2022: Sunapee Planning and Zoning Boards introduced an ordinance amendment for the March 2023 ballot, hyper-regulating Sunapee STRs despite a lack of evidence-based need or facts. In response, the Lake Sunapee Short Term Rental Association (LSSTRA) was formed as a voice of advocacy for Sunapee STR owners.
Winter 2022-2023: Sunapee contracted with a STR management web-based platform, called GovOS at the cost of $20K, annually. In public meetings some Planning and Zoning board members overtly expressed bias against STRs.
Spring 2023: The ordinance amendment passed in March by 80 votes. Town administration then created a 19-page document of regulations, restrictions and registration. The end-users of these documents were not involved in the regulation and registration-creating decisions.
Spring and Summer 2023: The LSSTRA and their attorney raised questions about the legality, enforceability and discriminatory nature of the STR regulations.
Mid-summer 2023: Via several selectboard meetings, the STR documents were pared down, removing the requirements of on-site inspections and proof of homeowners insurance. This helped alleviate a few of the unnecessary conditions aimed at stymying STRs.
August 2023: The Selectboard voted to affirm the STR regulations, which based on legal counsel, remained questionably legal and overtly discriminatory.
October 2023 Projection: The GovOS platform will open for Sunapee STRs to register. STR owners have until January 1, 2024, to register.
2024 Projections: Refining STR regulations and registration requirements based on data-gathered evidence. Potential legal challenges from STR owners against the Town of Sunapee for violation of property owners’ rights and discriminatory actions.
2024 Projections: Sunapee STR owners will continue to host guests in their homes safely and responsibly as most have been doing all along without the long arm reach of Sunapee government.
Elizabeth Hoekstra
Lake Sunapee Short Term
Rental Association, Sunapee
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