Richmondville Town Board Approves Short-Term Rentals Law

RICHMONDVILLE — The Town of Richmondville has a short-term rentals local law after the Town Board unanimously approved the measure after a public hearing at the Thursday, April 9 meeting.

Town Supervisor Jeffrey Haslun and Councilmen Eric Haslun, George Horning, Harry Rode and Todd Sperbeck all voted in favor of the 11-page law originally drafted by the Town Planning Board after several weeks of hard work, and then passed by the Town Board after it had made some slight revisions.

The law covers Airbnbs and similar establishments but not motels or hotels, Jeffrey Haslun explained after the meeting. Short-term rentals are defined in the new law as a "fully or partially furnished dwelling unit (or accessory dwelling unit) rented in whole or in part for fewer than 30 consecutive days except as otherwise expressly provided..."

It continues that the "town recognizes its historical character as a rural, residential/agricultural community primarily composed of owner-occupied homes. The unregulated proliferation of short-term rentals threatens this character and may disrupt the peace, quiet and enjoyment of neighboring residents. Accordingly, this law seeks to balance the rights of homeowners who offer short-term rentals with those of residents who do not, to preserve the integrity and livability of the community."

Town Clerk-Tax Collector Maggie Smith had previously estimated there are roughly 20 short-term rentals operating in the town. Copies of the full new law were provided at the April 9 meeting.

The new law provides that enforcement of it "shall be deferred for a period of 180 days from the effective date, to allow the Code Enforcement Officer sufficient time to process applications for short-term rental permits."

As for existing short-term rentals operating in compliance with all applicable codes, they may "continue operation and honor reservations made prior to such effective date (of the law) for a period not to exceed 180 days thereafter, provided that an application for a short-term rental permit is submitted within that period."

The law requires annual inspections and the obtaining of permits annually. Also included are provisions for maximum occupancy, regulations regarding water, septic and utilities; smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; garbage and refuse disposal and many others.

Also approved at the April 9 meeting was an accompanying SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) resolution stating that the new short-term rentals law  is an unlisted action and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment.

In other news from the April 9 meeting, Jeffrey Haslun during his supervisor's report gave a brief update on the town's sewer improvement project estimated to cost $12 million to $16 million and provide public sewer service to much of the town, including Warnerville.

Haslun said the 60-day review period for the main funding agency (New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation) to review bids is over soon and hopefully bids for the project will then go out. Town officials again expressed that they wished the process was going faster.

"The project is taking forever," Jeffrey Haslun said. "Some of that is on the town, some of it isn't on the town. Costs are going up. It's just taking forever."