Bangor is getting nearer to cementing guidelines for unregulated Airbnbs
Bangor is almost completed with a algorithm that will legalize and regulate the greater than 100 unlawful short-term rental properties, like Airbnbs, presently working within the metropolis.
Bangor metropolis councilors reviewed the newest model of town’s proposed guidelines for short-term leases throughout a Enterprise and Financial Improvement Committee assembly on Monday, practically two months after metropolis employees first pitched unfastened guidelines for short-term leases to the general public. Metropolis employees then adjusted the primary draft of the ordinance primarily based on the general public’s questions and issues.
Bangor doesn’t but have a coverage on short-term leases, which suggests they aren’t allowed anyplace within the metropolis. Regardless of this, metropolis employees discovered 129 short-term leases in Bangor, 52 of that are non-hosted, 28 are hosted and 49 are unknown.
These 129 short-term leases is a steep enhance from the 87 unlawful short-term leases a examine by the consulting agency Granicus discovered working within the metropolis in 2021.
Whereas the variety of leases hasn’t but develop into problematic or influenced the realm’s housing market, Bangor desires to get forward of potential issues different Maine vacationer locations have confronted in recent times, Anne Krieg, Bangor’s financial growth director, stated. These challenges often focus on short-term leases chopping right into a group’s housing inventory and elevating lease and buy prices, which have grown more and more unaffordable in recent times.
In its proposed guidelines, town defines a short-term rental as renting as much as two bedrooms or a complete dwelling unit, comparable to an condominium, for fewer than 28 days. The 28-day restrict is designed to exclude any housing for momentary employees, like touring nurses.
Different companies like resorts, motels, inns, bed-and-breakfasts and boarding homes wouldn’t be subjected to town’s guidelines.
The proposed guidelines additionally differentiate between hosted and non-hosted short-term leases, however permit each varieties anyplace within the metropolis. That allowance is a deviation from the primary model of the foundations, which proposed solely permitting non-hosted models within the downtown and waterfront districts, whereas hosted leases may very well be established in residential neighborhoods and a few business areas.
That clause of the foundations acquired some questions and criticism from residents, a lot of whom function short-term leases and felt the rules had been too stingy.
Hosted leases point out the property proprietor or operator is on the premises the place the short-term rental unit is positioned throughout any interval when the unit is occupied. An instance can be somebody who rents a room in a house, or an adjunct dwelling unit when the proprietor lives within the connected dwelling.
A non-hosted might embody a complete condominium that’s obtainable for lease, however the proprietor doesn’t stay there.
The proposed guidelines additionally cap the variety of non-hosted entire home short-term leases that may be energetic within the metropolis in a calendar yr at 153, as that makes up one % of all housing models within the metropolis, in response to the U.S. Census.
That cap may additionally enhance by 5 % every year, although metropolis employees haven’t but finalized that provision.
In line with the proposed guidelines, all short-term rental homeowners would want to acquire a license for every unit they lease, efficient April 11, 2024. These licenses have to be renewed yearly and price $250 a yr. If the unit doesn’t have to be inspected to be renewed, the renewal payment is lowered to $100.
Quick-term rental models should even be inspected by a metropolis code enforcement officer each three years to make sure they meet life security requirements. Every inspection additionally carries a $100 payment.
Councilors requested metropolis employees to challenge licenses on a primary come first served foundation, however these with present licenses might maintain their spot so long as they proceed to supply a short-term rental, get their license renewed yearly and comply with town’s guidelines.
When constructing Bangor’s proposed guidelines, metropolis employees regarded to different Maine communities, together with Portland, Kittery and Bar Harbor, which have related, however barely completely different rules for short-term leases. These communities additionally cap the variety of short-term leases allowed, and challenge licenses on a primary come, first served foundation.
Bangor can also be seeking to cap what number of short-term leases might be in a multi-unit property, if it’s owned by one particular person or firm, at 50 % to protect everlasting housing. This implies if an individual buys a constructing with 4 residences, solely two can develop into short-term leases.
The foundations additionally state that an individual or entity might not maintain a license to function greater than 5 short-term rental models within the metropolis in any calendar yr.
If a license holder sells a property they had been renting as an Airbnb, the license can’t switch to the brand new proprietor.
The proposed pointers additionally give town the ability to challenge a fantastic or droop or revoke somebody’s license in the event that they don’t comply with the foundations, or if their short-term rental turns into a disruptive property.
The proposed short-term rental ordinance will head to the Bangor planning board for a vote on October 3.
Metropolis employees anticipate bringing the ultimate model of the short-term rental guidelines again to town council for closing approval on October 11.
