Title
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS TO THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN CODE OF ORDINANCES ESTABLISHING A SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSE PROGRAM.
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WHEREAS, the City seeks to preserve its housing stock and protect the quality of its residential neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the City values strong residential neighborhoods and the diversity of the people who live in them; and
WHEREAS, preserving the City’s housing stock helps sustain the cultural and economic diversity that contributes to its character and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS, many options for short-term stays exist in the City, including hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, and home sharing; and
WHEREAS, vacation-rental operations in which residents and non-resident corporations rent entire units to visitors impact the availability and cost of housing in New Haven neighborhoods in which the units are located, thus adversely impacting the community; and
WHEREAS, the conversion of long-term residential housing into short-term rentals inflates rental prices, reduces available housing inventory, and directly contributes to the displacement of long-term neighbors and residents from their communities; and
WHEREAS, home-sharing does not create the same adverse impacts as vacation rentals when the home-shares are hosted by the owner or a long-term resident; and
WHEREAS, the City strives to strike a balance between preserving the City’s available housing stock, protecting the residential nature of neighborhoods, and preventing home-shares from turning into de facto hostels and hotels, while at the same time licensing owners and long-term residents to host guests as part of a home-share; and
WHEREAS, the costs of regulating and enforcing the requirements of the home-sharing program are significant and should be borne, at least in part, by those benefitting from their participation in the home-sharing program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the New Haven Board of Alders that the following be adde...
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