I oppose the Town of Rochester's Proposed Zoning Laws titled Draft Chapter 140.
These new laws will require every resident hosting transient guests to register with the Town, pay a fee and comply with numerous regulations.
This industry is already self-regulating as hosts who do not do a good job will receive bad reviews and will not get more guests. Guests who come into our community are also subject to reviews and treat our town with respect while bringing additional dollars to all of the local businesses.
There is no need to require an additional permit for homes and bedrooms in homes that already exist.
Besides laws about transient housing there are are many new rules regarding signage, setbacks and a rule that would only allow containers to be used as permanent storage with a permit and under certain restrictions.
These Laws are not yet passed, now is the time to let your voice be heard.
Attend the meeting!
August 3rd, 2017
7pm at the Rochester
Town Hall 50 Scenic Rd.
Accord, NY 12404
Summary of Proposed Laws:
1) All transient rental units will require a permit which will include an annual fee.
2) You must have a local manager available 24/7 within 30 miles of the rental able to respond within 1 hour.
3) You must post on the exterior and interior of the home local contact and owner info.
4) One parking space for each bedroom and no on street parking.
5) Septic systems must be inspected.
6) Drinking water source approved.
7) Manner in which snow, lawn and repair maintenance will be handled
8) All units will be inspected.
9) A site plan with setbacks, all structures, rental unit layouts, septic and well locations shown.
10) No tent, trailer, camper, lean-to, recreation vehicles are permitted as a rental unit
11) Fines for violation begin at $350 per unit per week and go up to $1,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Link to Draft Chapter 140:
Updates
July 28, 2017
I have been reading through the notes you left about how these proposed regulations would change our daily lives and I am truly humbled by your engagement. This is not about one person anymore because the weight of your shared experiences is what actually forces a conversation with the town board.
July 28, 2017
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have come together on this issue. It is incredibly humbling to see so many neighbors standing up for our community because this momentum belongs entirely to the people who took the time to sign.
28 Comments
This seems like a money grabb ,everyone eals is doing it so should rodchester i dont think they fully thought this thru.short term rentals have been a cottage industry in this area for a very long time why now is my question. If its about safty than why are all rentals short or long term not subject to annual permits and inspections?
My family has just bought a house in Kerhonkson. I would be utterly opposed to any new law that regulates and requires a fee to every resident hosting transient guests. It seems to be regulated already in a way that is working.
.
It would be very difficult to pay mortgage, taxes and maintenance on our home without our short term rental income. We do not net money but it does help offset basic expenses. We pay our school and town tax in full and on time every year. We also support local restaurants, grocers, shops, and businesses and encourage all our guests to do the same. I provide all my guests with a detailed list of local restaurants, grocers, farmers markets, shops and services. And most of our vacation guests on vacation patron a lot more of the local shops and restaurants every weekend than we would on any given weekend. Also at least ten of our guests have fallen in love with the area and gone on to purchase homes in Ulster county. We believe it's been great exposure for Ulster County in general and the town of High Falls in particular. It's a time consuming and expensive business, but for now we do it because we enjoy it and we love the house and want to keep it. However requiring additional permits, fees and managers may make our investment into High Falls unsustainable for us. Thank you for reading. Sincerely, Caroline Bollinger, 1 Clovewood Rd, High Falls, NY
Allowing residents to share in the wealth created by tourism is exactly what this town says it wants to do.
How about a $1000 fine for the person proposing this restrictive law that is nothing more than a good old fashion buteaucracy fattening tax grab? Or better yet, vote them out.
Give the people of Rochester a break...We are finally able to pay our high taxes by having transient guests, do not impede our success.
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I oppose the Town of Rochester's Proposed Zoning Laws titled Draft Chapter 140.
These new laws will require every resident hosting transient guests to register with the Town, pay a fee and comply with numerous regulations.
This industry is already self-regulating as hosts who do not do a good job will receive bad reviews and will not get more guests. Guests who come into our community are also subject to reviews and treat our town with respect while bringing additional dollars to all of the local businesses.
There is no need to require an additional permit for homes and bedrooms in homes that already exist.
Besides laws about transient housing there are are many new rules regarding signage, setbacks and a rule that would only allow containers to be used as permanent storage with a permit and under certain restrictions.
These Laws are not yet passed, now is the time to let your voice be heard.
Attend the meeting!
August 3rd, 2017
7pm at the Rochester
Town Hall 50 Scenic Rd.
Accord, NY 12404
Summary of Proposed Laws:
1) All transient rental units will require a permit which will include an annual fee.
2) You must have a local manager available 24/7 within 30 miles of the rental able to respond within 1 hour.
3) You must post on the exterior and interior of the home local contact and owner info.
4) One parking space for each bedroom and no on street parking.
5) Septic systems must be inspected.
6) Drinking water source approved.
7) Manner in which snow, lawn and repair maintenance will be handled
8) All units will be inspected.
9) A site plan with setbacks, all structures, rental unit layouts, septic and well locations shown.
10) No tent, trailer, camper, lean-to, recreation vehicles are permitted as a rental unit
11) Fines for violation begin at $350 per unit per week and go up to $1,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Link to Draft Chapter 140:
Updates
July 28, 2017
I have been reading through the notes you left about how these proposed regulations would change our daily lives and I am truly humbled by your engagement. This is not about one person anymore because the weight of your shared experiences is what actually forces a conversation with the town board.
July 28, 2017
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have come together on this issue. It is incredibly humbling to see so many neighbors standing up for our community because this momentum belongs entirely to the people who took the time to sign.
28 Comments
A bed tax as proposed by the ulster county is reasonable as well as a $100 annual permit. Please bring new people to add to jobs for landscaping, contractor, plumbing and essential tourism jobs by promotion of Airbnb in a fair manner. Other surrounding counties such as Dutchess, Sullivan counties understand the multifold benefits to local communities by embracing Airbnb and adding bed tax dollars. There are many elderly and underemployed individuals who are benefiting directly from Airbnb to offset the high cost of school and property taxes while on fixed or little income due to a sharp lack of well paying jobs and industry in this county.
This seems like a money grabb ,everyone eals is doing it so should rodchester i dont think they fully thought this thru.short term rentals have been a cottage industry in this area for a very long time why now is my question. If its about safty than why are all rentals short or long term not subject to annual permits and inspections?
My family has just bought a house in Kerhonkson. I would be utterly opposed to any new law that regulates and requires a fee to every resident hosting transient guests. It seems to be regulated already in a way that is working.
.
It would be very difficult to pay mortgage, taxes and maintenance on our home without our short term rental income. We do not net money but it does help offset basic expenses. We pay our school and town tax in full and on time every year. We also support local restaurants, grocers, shops, and businesses and encourage all our guests to do the same. I provide all my guests with a detailed list of local restaurants, grocers, farmers markets, shops and services. And most of our vacation guests on vacation patron a lot more of the local shops and restaurants every weekend than we would on any given weekend. Also at least ten of our guests have fallen in love with the area and gone on to purchase homes in Ulster county. We believe it's been great exposure for Ulster County in general and the town of High Falls in particular. It's a time consuming and expensive business, but for now we do it because we enjoy it and we love the house and want to keep it. However requiring additional permits, fees and managers may make our investment into High Falls unsustainable for us. Thank you for reading. Sincerely, Caroline Bollinger, 1 Clovewood Rd, High Falls, NY
Allowing residents to share in the wealth created by tourism is exactly what this town says it wants to do.
How about a $1000 fine for the person proposing this restrictive law that is nothing more than a good old fashion buteaucracy fattening tax grab? Or better yet, vote them out.
Give the people of Rochester a break...We are finally able to pay our high taxes by having transient guests, do not impede our success.
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A bed tax as proposed by the ulster county is reasonable as well as a $100 annual permit. Please bring new people to add to jobs for landscaping, contractor, plumbing and essential tourism jobs by promotion of Airbnb in a fair manner. Other surrounding counties such as Dutchess, Sullivan counties understand the multifold benefits to local communities by embracing Airbnb and adding bed tax dollars. There are many elderly and underemployed individuals who are benefiting directly from Airbnb to offset the high cost of school and property taxes while on fixed or little income due to a sharp lack of well paying jobs and industry in this county.