 The Fenton Township Planning Commission is drafting a proposed ordinance to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs) to be sent to the Fenton Township Board for approval. Before they draft a proposal they are sending a questionnaire to all Fenton Township residents. You may get one soon. A emailed poll of Lake Fenton residents sent out by the Lake Fenton Property Owners Association this spring concluded that 80% of respondents did not want Short Term Rentals on the lake. As a result, the LFPOA sent the Planning Commission a letter stating that we do not support STRs in single family, residentially zoned areas. The LFPOA urges Lake Fenton residents to complete the survey and to tell the township that you do not support Short Term Rentals in single family, residentially zoned areas on the lake. Here's why. Short Term Rental Definition
A short–term rental (STR) is typically defined as the rental of any furnished home or accessory building for a short period of time. This generally includes stays of less than 30 days. STRs can include entire homes, accessory buildings (like a cottage on the property) or a room in the owner’s home. Property owners typically advertise for STR tenants through online services like Airbnb.com or Vrbo.com, both popular online vacation rental portals. Why Short Term Rentals are Popular The advantage of a STR to a renter is that it allows a vacation in a unique, one-of-a-kind property. Instead of a hotel, you get the feeling of “living like a local” in someone else’s home. This is especially true in areas that are not normally served by hotels. In addition, STRs do not have to meet hotel tax and safety requirements, so they are typically cheaper than a similar rental in a hotel. The advantage of an STR to the landlord is that it is an easy way to generate income from a residential property. Highly desirable locations can cost over a thousand dollars for a weekend. As a result, in some vacation spots, businesses will purchase residential homes and turn them into year-round STRs. Why Short Term Rentals are a Problem There are several reasons why short-term rentals can be problematic: Property values: If you sell your property, a short-term rental next door could have a negative impact on your property value. As more than one person has asked, “Would you want a short term rental next door to you?” Disruptive to neighborhoods: Short-term rentals can be disruptive to residential neighborhoods, especially when boating is involved. Loud parties, frequent turnover of guests, and increased traffic can all be sources of annoyance and disturbance to homeowners. Safety concerns: There are safety concerns associated with short-term rentals, particularly in cases where hosts rent out boats along with their properties. In addition, landlords often ignore proper inspections and maintenance. This can lead to situations where guests are exposed to health and safety hazards, such as faulty electrical wiring or gas leaks. Negative impact on the local community: When properties are rented out to tourists on a short-term basis, this can lead to a loss of community spirit and cohesion. Desirable rental properties are purchased by out-of-town investors who have no commitment to the community. Lack of regulation: The short-term rental market is often unregulated, which can lead to a lack of oversight and accountability. Hosts may fail to comply with local laws and regulations, such as zoning laws, building codes, and safety requirements. Impact on the hospitality industry: Short-term rentals can have a negative impact on the hospitality industry, particularly in cases where hosts are able to offer lower prices than traditional hotels. This can lead to a reduction in the number of jobs in the hospitality sector, and may result in unfair competition with traditional hotels and other types of accommodation. STRs: Ignore, Regulate or Ban? There are three strategies for local units of government dealing with STRs: ignore them, regulate them, or ban them. Our position is that while STRs currently only affect a small number of properties mostly on Fenton Township lakes, they could be a problem in the future if not properly addressed now. An argument can be made that many of the issues listed above can be mitigated with a Township ordinance and enforceable rules. However, rather than create a new STR ordinance with application permits, fees, in-home inspections, and the associated issues surrounding STRs we believe banning them in single family, residentially zoned areas is the best solution for Lake Fenton property owners as well as all Fenton Township residents. What You Can Do If you’re a Fenton Township resident who receives a questionnaire about STRs, make your opinion known. You can also contact the Fenton Township Planning Commission or attend a Planning Commission meeting when STRs are on the agenda. Comments are closed.
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