Should Nantucket Look To Southampton's Approach To Short-Term Rentals?

To the editor: I am writing to bring your attention to a new law regarding short-term rentals that was just passed by the town of Southampton, the news of which some may have missed in these waning days of summer. Like Nantucket, the Hamptons towns have experienced frustration with short-term rentals, and their response is a new law that restricts rentals to a minimum of two weeks.

This new reality should be factored into our island’s ongoing attempts to introduce rental laws to Nantucket as it poses a significant potential impact to Nantucket. Perhaps we should likewise consider a two-week baseline minimum on house rentals, with two additional one-week rentals allowed per house, or something similar.

In any case, the Hamptons’ regulations need to be considered. They may also be worth emulating.

Sincerely,

Aimee Jamison, 
Nantucket homeowner