WOODSTOCK, Vt. (WCAX) – Back in May, the town and village of Woodstock both unanimously passed joint regulations on short-term rentals, but a petition from agitated citizens is leading to a vote that could overturn them.
The May ordinance put the responsibility of paying the cost of short-term rental regulation, expenses like software and staffing, on guests and short-term rental owners instead of taxpayers.
It also removed the statute that ruled how many times a short-term rental owner could rent their property a year.
The town of Woodstock select board member Laura Powell says the strongest pillar of the ordinance is a cap on the number of short-term rentals allowed in Woodstock. It’s part of the planning commission’s effort to curb the town and village’s housing crisis.
“It’s about striking a balance and making sure that we’re meeting the needs of our community, because right now, the businesses and the restaurants, patronage patronized by tourists are they can’t stay in business because they don’t have staff,” said Powell.
Voting commences at Woodstock Town Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Village voters can vote at the special meeting at 7:00 p.m.
A no vote upholds the ordinance and a yes vote votes in favor of the petition to overturn the ordinance.