NEWPORT -- City Council members are poised to instruct the city solicitor's office to begin looking into the feasibility of drawing additional revenue from property owners who rent out their homes on a short-term, or seasonal, basis.
In a resolution that's scheduled to be taken up at their Wednesday, Feb. 22 meeting, councilors note that of the 550 registered non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, the property owners of over 200 units have indicated that their rentals are seasonal, for periods of from one to three months.
And with owners of bed and breakfast properties of four or more rooms already taxed at the city's commercial rate, councilors are wondering whether other short-term rental properties can also be considered "seasonal businesses."
Councilor Henry F. Winthrop is the main sponsor of the proposal.
He said on Wednesday that the aim of the resolution is twofold: First, to level the playing field, by recognizing that homeowners who rent out their properties during the season are in essence engaging in a commercial activity; and secondarily, to ensure that the city is fully compensated for the services provided to those homes whose use might exceed a typical residential, owner-occupied home.
According to Winthrop, the proposal is not geared toward weekly rentals, which some homeowners quietly engage in despite a city prohibition. Rather, he said, he hopes to spur a conversation about how the city can best address the proliferation of short-term seasonal rentals where in some cases, exorbitant rents are collected over a short period of time.
As of Wednesday, the proposal had the support of three other councilors: Jeanne Marie Napolitano, Naomi Neville, and Charles Y. Duncan.
Also on the docket next week was a proposal by the owners of a complex of bars on Waites Wharf to expand their entertainment license to an outdoor deck along the waterside of The Boat Dockside. The proposal was continued from the last meeting at the request of the applicant citing a proposed agreement with an abutting condominium association. Meanwhile, other neighbors have continued to write in objecting to the proposal.
Finally, a request by the organizers of the Newport Folk Festival to expand the daily capacity at Fort Adams for the iconic two-day festival of song from 10,000 to 11,000 is also scheduled for consideration.
Latest Comments
NOW THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
Posted by FRED SULLIVAN February 17, 2012 00:18:04
Fact Finding
Posted by Jack February 16, 2012 18:22:55
Weekly rentals
Posted by Doubter February 16, 2012 17:35:28
Real Short Term
Posted by Mike February 16, 2012 16:54:54