Town hears comments about proposed short-term rental regulations

By Linda Smith Hancharick
WARWICK — The Warwick Town Board from residents on its intention to impose requirements for short-term rental units within the town. Most who spoke were in favor of what the town has proposed with some suggested revisions.
Supervisor Michael Sweeton explained that the intention of this would be for the town to have record of where these short-term rental units are located, have a contact person on record and to ensure the units are safe and up to code via registration with the town’s building department.
Resident Bob Krahulik, who owns a property that he rents out on a short-term basis, said he supports the implementation of these requirements but objects to a few specific points, including providing proof that all septic requirements are met and empowering the building inspector to revoke the permits.
Krahulik said he would have no ability to prove that all septic requirements are met but could prove it’s not failing. As for the revocation of the permit, he said once a year he may get a renter that throws a party and causes a disturbance.
“I don’t think I should get my permit revoked because of one bad event,” he said.
Instead, he suggested incremental monetary penalties for the first and second offense before revoking the permit on the third offense.
Some changes have been made to the draft of the law that is now posted on the town’s website, www.townofwarwick.org.
Krahulik also said the town should also educate the police department about the short-term rental rules. New York State law says the owner may remove a short-term renter immediately.
'Just more government regulation'Village of Warwick resident Roger Showalter said this is just more government regulation. Protecting residents’ safety is necessary. But, he noted, vacation rentals are not a big business in the town.
“It’s just more government regulation in our life.”
And he voiced concern with the possibility of having to hire more people to enforce this part of the code.
“I’m not in favor. Just leave it as it is,” said Showalter. “The town has other things fiscally we need to concentrate on.”
This is a town law and will only be applied to properties outside of the villages.
Greenwood Lake leads the wayThe Village of Greenwood Lake enacted requirements for short-term rental units within its borders and suggested the town do the same. The town’s law is basically the same as that in Greenwood Lake. It would require all landlords and resident agents of short-term rentals to register and obtain a permit. Renewal would be required annually. There would be a fee but it is not specified in the legislation. Failure to register will cost $500 per day for the first offense; subsequent offenses will cost $750 each per day. These amounts have changed since the first draft of the law.
Short-term rental property is defined in the legislation as any dwelling unit occupied by people other than the owner or his/her immediate family for less than 30 days for which money is charged. This includes rentals provided by Airbnb, VBRO and others, but not month-to-month tenancies.
The hearing remains open until the town’s next meeting on Aug. 23. People may submit comments up until that date or come and speak at the town’s meeting at the town hall, 132 Kings Highway, at 7:30 p.m.