To: The Honorable Mayor Richard Smith and Members of the Board of Aldermen
From: Concerned Residents of Milford, CT
Date: February 6th, 2026

We, the undersigned residents of Milford, CT, respectfully petition the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to enact a strong and comprehensive ordinance regulating short-term rentals (STRs), including but not limited to those listed on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.

Because Milford is a beautiful town with an incredible shoreline, we have been inundated by investors in Short-Term Rentals at an unprecedented rate. We are not talking about residents who want to rent a room out, or even their entire house, for a short period of time. We are talking about investors that are buying up our housing inventory for the sole purpose of STR’s with no intention of ever living there. The current lack of strict regulation has led to serious and ongoing harm, including:

· Loss of long-term housing

· Nuisance problems, including noise, parties, and parking congestion

· Erosion of neighborhood character and community stability

· Lack of accountability for absentee operators

Housing in Milford should primarily serve the people who live and work here, not function as unregulated commercial lodging. Milford already has an ample supply of hotels and motels to meet its lodging needs.

We therefore urge the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to adopt a strict short-term rental ordinance that includes:

1. Permitting and licensing, with annual renewal requirements

2. Minimum stay requirements

3. Limits on occupancy, noise, and events

4. Meaningful enforcement mechanisms, including inspections, fines, and permit revocation

5. Transparency requirements, including public access to STR permit data

We further ask that any ordinance be shaped with public input, hearing the voices of residents affected by short-term rental activity.

This petition reflects our shared commitment to protect Milford’s housing affordability, neighborhood livability, and the long-term health of our community. We respectfully encourage the enactment of a strict ordinance regulating Short-Term Rentals in Milford.

Rich Smith

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