Irondequoit is at a critical juncture. Without immediate and decisive action, our quiet residential town risks becoming overrun by short-term rentals that prioritize tourism profits over community stability. As it stands, there are zero regulations in place—leaving our neighborhoods vulnerable to unchecked commercialization.

The consequences extend beyond housing. Fewer permanent residents means fewer students in our schools—jeopardizing state funding tied to enrollment numbers. The stability of our schools, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the very identity of Irondequoit are all at risk.

We’ve already seen the negative consequences: rotating groups of transient guests, noise disturbances at all hours, and a clear disregard for the families and long-term residents who call Irondequoit home. What was once a peaceful, close-knit community is being eroded by a system that treats our homes like hotel rooms and our neighborhoods like profit zones.

Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb are turning residential streets into commercial corridors. These properties are not homes—they are investment vehicles operated by absentee landlords with no stake in our town’s future. This transformation drives up housing prices, reduces availability for permanent residents, and displaces families who want to live and invest in Irondequoit for the long term.

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies has found that high concentrations of short-term rentals directly lead to higher home prices and fewer housing opportunities for locals. In Atlanta, for example, short-term rentals have contributed to a 5% increase in median home prices. Irondequoit cannot afford to follow the same path.

To preserve the character and integrity of our town, we must take bold action. We urge the Irondequoit Town Council to consider a ban—or at the very least, adopt the strictest possible regulations on short-term rentals. Any property being used as a commercial rental should be held to the same standards, zoning laws, and tax obligations as a hotel.

This is not about individual property rights—it’s about the collective right of Irondequoit residents to live in safe, quiet, and stable neighborhoods. We must draw a line now, before our town becomes a revolving door of strangers.

We call on the Town Council to act with urgency. Please sign this petition to demand Irondequoit remain a residential community—not a business.