In an effort to break its silence on regulating short-term rentals through websites like Airbnb, Town of Herndon officials are contemplating ways to regulate the growing market, which often pits homeowners seeking to make a聽profit against neighbors seeking to control noise and maintain safety.
The town鈥檚 planning commission is considering that would allow residents to rent out their entire home for up to 90 days per year, so long as occupants are limited to six adults and parking is available. In return, residents must buy a $200 permit, which is active for two years, and undergo a property inspection. No restrictions on renting a room or portion of the property are imposed so long as the operator lives in the residence.
Efforts to regulate the burgeoning industry were set into motion last year when the state鈥檚 General Assembly approved legislation allowing localities to regulate short-term rentals. Just last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved its own set of regulations. After feedback from the public, the board made its regulations more restrictive by scaling back its definition of short-term rentals from a maximum of 90 days to 60 days.
Preliminary conversations about ways to oversee short-term rentals have begun at Reston Association. However, no formal plans or guidelines have been introduced yet.
The Town of Herndon鈥檚 proposal was modeled after Fairfax County鈥檚 plan, David Stromberg, the town鈥檚 zoning administrator told Reston Now. Yesterday鈥檚 public hearing on the proposal will continue during the planning commission鈥檚 September meeting. Changes may be proposed based on feedback from the public, he said.
鈥淣othing has been on the books. We鈥檙e trying to do regulations appropriately so that people who are doing short-term rentals can get their permits,鈥� Stromberg said. 鈥淎nd if there are problems, we can do enforcement if necessary.鈥�
It鈥檚 unclear how much revenue permits could generate for the town. Other area jurisdictions like Arlington County limited short-term rentals to 180 days while Alexandria has no limit.
Photo via Airbnb
