Hampton tweaks short-term rental rules that will take effect next month

Short-term rentals continue to stir debate in Hampton, and City Council this week decided to make additional changes to how the businesses are regulated.

In June, the council revamped short-term rental rules by dividing the city into 51 zones and allowing only 1% of homes in each zone to operate as short-term rentals. On Wednesday, the council unanimously voted to create a new use called a “homestay rental” that only applies to residents who remain in their homes while renting a single room.

Homestay rentals are a separate category from short-term rentals and are not subject to the density and buffer requirements when a property owner rents out their entire home.

Council members had previously advocated for addressing homestay rentals separately from short-term rentals, saying they were too different to adhere to the same regulations.

Zoning Administrator Allison Jackura said homestays, which would be allowed in single-family dwellings, apply for guests living in a home for 30 days or less. Homestay rentals require a zoning administrator permit.

Homestay rental operators are required to live in the home as their primary residence and reside there during all guests’ stays. The operator is designated as a “responsible local person” and would be required to provide contact information for the city website in case of any issues, respond within one hour after being called by the city for any nuisance complaint and be on-site at all times between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when overnight lodgers are present.

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In addition, no events — including weddings, reunions or birthday parties — are allowed in homestay rentals.

The council also voted 6-1 to reduce the required buffer between short-term rentals. In June, the council approved a plan requiring that rentals be 500 feet apart unless they are side-by-side. On Wednesday, they reduced that requirement from 500 feet to 300 feet, with councilwoman Martha Mugler dissenting. She clarified after the meeting that she felt the previously approved 500-foot separation requirement was important to alleviate density.

“I still felt that the 500 feet was a better place to start,” she said.

Some residents who spoke Wednesday during a public hearing also voiced concerns about reducing the required separation between short-term rentals, saying increased density will harm the overall character of residential neighborhoods..

“A lot of times, there probably is a lot of lobbying done from a lot of people who are in the real estate business, but the people who are living here now have a right to have their property values maintained as well,” said Jill Rondeau.

Hampton’s various new short-term rental regulations, including the 51 zones, the 300-foot separation requirement and the creation of the homestay rental — all go into effect Sept. 1.

Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com