Short Term Rentals (STRs) have become a really popular way for travelers to find great accommodations that fit their needs, going beyond what traditional hotels can offer. This is a trend that is not slowing down.
A municipality's goal is usually to empower more tourism by reducing friction around STRs. However, inexperienced renters, or hosts, can often be unprepared to stay ahead of the wave of possible complaints their neighbors will have.
Unfortunately, some full-time residents are eager to call your code enforcement department to complain - even if many complaints are warranted.
Is your code enforcement officer getting overwhelmed with complaints that could have easily been mitigated if hosts had simply been better prepared? Hosts certainly don’t intend to give the city more work; renters are highly motivated to earn a good rating from websites like AirBnB and VRBO; and neighbors don't want to be annoyed.
Properly educating your hosts can reduce the number of issues your city has to deal with. That’s why we’ve created the “Good Neighbor Guide for Short Term Rentals”.
When owners apply or renew an STR license, give them this sheet, or even better - make them sign off on having read it!
Complete the Form to Download Your Good Neighbor Guide
About the Good Neighbor Guide for Short Term Rentals
Our guide is meant to be shared with your STR hosts, and summarizes these 10 things to tell them to stay out of trouble.
Parking
Inform STR hosts about the importance of designated parking for renters to minimize neighborhood disruptions. Encourage them to provide off-street parking and communicate clear rules, such as:
- Avoiding parking in front of other homes.
- Prohibiting blockage of driveways or mailboxes.
Trash Management
Encourage hosts to supply ample external trash cans to avoid littering in the neighborhood. Recommend additional bins if necessary and highlight the need for locking mechanisms in areas with high winds or wildlife.
Noise Control
Advise hosts to post local quiet hours prominently in their rental properties and discourage outdoor speaker use to avoid noise disturbances. Suggest noise monitoring tools like Minut or Party Squasher, but remind them to inform renters of their use.
Lighting Compliance
Educate STR owners about local lighting ordinances to avoid complaints. Encourage them to adjust exterior lighting to align with these regulations and minimize disruption to neighbors. The document might be a little generic in this regard, feel free to explain to them what your local ordinances are.
Signage Restrictions
Make sure you explain the restrictions around signage to your hosts. Some communities want it, others doesn't, and you want to be sure that hosts should consult with you first before they label their property in any way. Generally, if it's permitted, but neighborhoods don't want it, they may want to take that into consideration so that neighbors are happy with maintaining the visual appeal of their community.
Occupancy Limits
Remind STR owners to clearly define and enforce occupancy limits for their properties. Most rental platforms prohibit parties, but city staff can recommend requiring hosts to grant permission for any gatherings. This helps control disruptions and ensures compliance with community standards.
Rules for Shared Amenities and Private Property
In properties with community amenities like pools or gyms, stress the importance of communicating usage rules to renters. Clear expectations can prevent conflicts between renters and permanent residents in shared spaces. Hosts should also clearly define what is private property so guests can be aware if they're inadvertently trespassing when walking around.
Property Monitoring
Recommend that owners invest in external video surveillance to monitor their properties. Emphasize the importance of notifying renters about its use. This allows owners to address potential issues before they escalate to formal complaints with your jurisdiction.
Neighbor Communication
Encourage hosts to be proactive in building relationships with their neighbors. Suggest providing neighbors with a copy of the rental rules and a direct contact number for any concerns. Open communication often resolves issues before they require code enforcement involvement.
Community Networking
Suggest that hosts join local STR communities or associations. These groups offer valuable resources for staying informed about city regulations, sharing best practices, and collaboration among STR owners.
How to Use Your Good Neighbor Guide
By educating your short term rental owners on how to be a good neighbor, you’ll keep complaints at bay within your community. Download the PDF above and share it with your applicants after they register their STR.
Using Civic Review
If you’re using a platform like Civic Review to handle short term rental applications and renewals, you can automate the delivery of this brochure, and send it to them as soon as they’ve been approved. This way, you can set it and forget it. Please reach out if you want to learn more.
