The Wilson village board is moving forward with a proposed local law that aims to regulate short term rental properties, more commonly known as Airbnbs.
The board will solicit input on the law from residents and property owners during a public hearing at the beginning of their 7 p.m. Jan. 18 meeting.
Like several neighboring municipalities in Niagara County, the village is aiming to get a handle on the vacation rental housing market and the rights of such property owners and their neighbors. The town of Wilson passed a short-term rental law of its own in September.
“As some other municipalities have came out with their own laws, there’s been some other ideas we’ve adapted (into the proposed village law),” trustee Greg Martin said. “We wanted to make sure we were also uniform with the town’s STR law.”
While the village has some existing regulations on the books pertaining to more traditional owner-occupied bed and breakfast establishments, they currently have no such laws pertaining to short-term rentals, which are not owner-occupied.
Under the proposed law, properties would be subject to inspection by the village’s code enforcement department and the owners would pay an annual fee for an operating permit.
“I know a lot of residents are worried about over-governance, but it’s just for the safety of the renter and the owner,” Martin said.
Among the recent provisions added to the current draft of the law are a cap of 25 short-term rental properties allowed in the village.
Martin said the main reason for the cap is to maintain consistent water and sewer rates in the village.
“Water and sewer revenues factor into a lot of things for the village. If someone bought property and wasn’t actively renting (it) out, we wouldn’t want any extra tax burden put on the village or our tax payers,” Martin said.
There would also be a requirement that a manager of the property will live within a 45-minute drive of the property.
“If there was an emergency or a real concern from someone in the village, there has to be a person who can respond quickly,” trustee Brad Simpson said.
Simpson also noted that some of these provisions may be changed as the board moves forward with the law.
“Whatever is established, there will be flexibility to make sure we get things right and support village growth,” he said.
Village officials also hope the law can allow them to work more closely with short-term rental property owners to promote tourism in the village.
“In the village’s situation, a lot of people are hesitant to come forward. I hope they’re not (in the future), we would love to be able to market these Airbnbs,” Martin said.