Short-Term Rentals: In Support Of Article 69

To the editor: How many active short-term rentals are there on Nantucket? The simple answer is, we don’t know. What we do know is that Nantucketers want to “Do something” about them; in other words, manage them within the context of our long-standing tradition of homeowners renting their homes to visitors, but not by giving away zoning.

With Article 69, Nantucket Neighborhoods First proposes to do just that by utilizing two powerful tools at our disposal: our existing general bylaw on short-term rentals, passed in 2022, and our Short-Term Rental Registry, which was introduced in early 2024 and became effective on January 1 of this year.

There are two key elements to our Article. The first is to limit STR registrations to 1,350 per year for three years. This limit is sized to reflect the number of STRs we likely have on the island today. It is not random or arbitrary, but the result of extensive research by our team that we are happy to discuss in the appropriate setting. It is, in fact, 140 percent of the number of STRs registered locally at this time. Setting this temporary limit encourages owners to register their STRs and buys us time to better understand our actual STR situation.

The second is to “right size” the number of rental nights to 70 per year. Eighty-five percent of STRs are rented for 70 nights or less, so this limit reins in only those vacation homes that are used with such intensity that they may as well be host-free hotels.

Article 69 protects both STR owners and Nantucket neighborhoods. It lets people who are renting out their homes continue to do so for a reasonable amount of time but will reduce runaway commercialism – and competition.

It also gives Nantucket a much-needed break from years of rancorous debate about STRs. Lastly, it requires only 50 percent plus one vote to pass. Article 69 is a viable, pragmatic, middle road on STRs. We urge you to vote

YES on Article 69.

Matthew Peel on behalf of Nantucket Neighborhoods First