To the Poultney Planning Commission:

We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Poultney, Vermont, respectfully ask the Poultney Planning Commission to discontinue further pursuit of the proposed Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance 

Short term rentals are operated by members of our community who already pay property taxes, maintain their properties, support local businesses, bring visitors to Poultney, and contribute to the local economy. We believe additional town wide regulation should be based on a clearly demonstrated community wide need and supported by evidence that existing laws and regulations are inadequate.

Based on the public discussion surrounding this proposal, we do not believe a sufficient need has been demonstrated to justify creating an additional regulatory system specifically for short term rentals. 

Concerns involving individual properties—such as noise, parking, property boundaries, shared driveways or easements, unsafe behavior, or other neighbor disputes should first be addressed through existing town regulations, state law, law enforcement, fire and safety regulations, private agreements, or the courts when appropriate. Problems involving individual properties should not automatically result in additional regulation affecting responsible STR owners throughout Poultney.

We are also concerned about the precedent created by imposing additional requirements on one particular type of property use without clear evidence of a widespread problem. Property owners should be able to reasonably use their property without unnecessary additional government intervention, while still being held accountable when their individual conduct violates existing laws or regulations.

Per the Poultney Planning Commission STR  ordinance draft, they propose the following.

1. The Selectboard  cap the number of STR licenses in Poultney.

2. Licenses would expire every December 31, and renewal would not be automatic.
The ordinance draft specifically says an STR license is a "privilege" and does not create a property right or entitlement.

3. The Selectboard deny, condition, suspend, or revoke licenses based on things such as "adverse impacts" or "neighborhood character."

4. The Town  impose annual licensing fees and an additional Housing Impact Fee on certain STRs.

This proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance should concern every property owner in Poultney, not just people who currently operate an Airbnb, VRBO etc.

Even if you have absolutely no interest in operating a short term rental, you should pay attention. Once the town creates another licensing and regulatory system over how private property can be used, it doesn't stop with the rentals that exist today. It could affect someone who someday wants to rent out a guest cottage, tiny house, accessory dwelling, or other legal space on their own property.

Regulations created today can limit your options tomorrow.

This petition is not a referendum and does not carry the same legal authority as a petition involving an ordinance that has already been formally adopted by the Select Board. Rather, its purpose is to provide the Planning Commission with a clear and organized expression of community sentiment while the proposal is still under consideration.

The Planning Commission has the ability to consider public input and determine whether continuing to pursue this ordinance is necessary or in the best interest of Poultney. We respectfully ask the Commission to consider the voices of Poultney’s residents and property owners before advancing additional regulations.

Therefore, we ask the Poultney Planning Commission to discontinue its consideration and development of the proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance and take no further action to advance it.

Who should sign?

This petition is intended for Poultney residents and Poultney property owners who believe the proposed STR ordinance should not move forward.

By signing, you are asking the Poultney Planning Commission to listen to community input and discontinue further pursuit of the proposed ShortTerm Rental Ordinance.