South Portland is once again attempting to regulate short-term vacation rentals in the city.
Tuesday night, the City Council passed a new, modified ordinance to replace a measure it unanimously repealed in April, after a successful petition drive.
Among other things, the new rules limit short-term rentals of houses to commercial zones, unless the owners can prove the house is their primary residence.
City Councilor Adrian Dowling opposes the restrictions. He says most landlords who operate "un-hosted" rentals are responsible neighbors.
“They're not running party houses, they don't have guests having big, raging parties and hanging from the chandeliers at all hours of the day and night,” Dowling says. “Their guests are respectful and quiet, and there aren't large numbers of them.”
The new regulations also require that properties be inspected, insured and licensed by the city.
Short-term rentals of apartments will also be regulated and, in most cases, the owner must live on-site. The new rules also require that there be enough on-site parking for guests' cars and allow more guests in rentals than the previous rules permitted.
Supporters of this ordinance say renter behavior is a concern, as is the effect of short-term rentals on the city's tight housing market and longstanding family neighborhoods.