Short-Term Rentals Great for Tourism, but Proprietors Need Protections
By Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon)
We welcome thousands of visitors each year to the many sights and attractions here in Carbon County. For some residents, this is an opportunity to host out-of-town families – either as an Airbnb or a VRBO (vacation rental by owner).
These sort-term rentals are a wonderful alternative to traditional short-term lodging options. They can help invigorate our local economy and provide additional income options for homeowners or investors. Despite those benefits, though, when a property being used as a short-term rental does not comply with local or state laws, or becomes a nuisance property, it can become problematic for those nearby.
To address these issues, I recently introduced
House Bill 1363, which will provide for better enforcement and oversight of Airbnb and VRBO rentals.
I’ve heard these complaints from local residents, and so I have introduced this bill to create a “code of conduct” for short-term rentals, which reiterates the need that these types of rentals need to be in compliance with all local, state and federal laws. This can include all occupancy, parking, noise limits, etc., or even the registering and licensing requirements that local communities already may have in place.
My legislation would also provide legal relief options for neighbors and local communities when a short-term rental property becomes problematic, and a local government does not have the policing force or manpower to enforce their ordinances and laws.
But to keep a healthy balance, House Bill 1363 will also prohibit local governments from unnecessarily prolonging or stalling the licensing or registering of short-term rentals that are in compliance with all ordinances, laws or requirements.
Finally, my legislation will allow the courts to direct listing platforms for short-term rentals to delist properties, if they are continuously a nuisance property, and the court deems delisting necessary.
I hope that my legislation will be a step in the right direction to help foster short-term rentals in a healthy way, invigorating our local economy and boosting our tourism, without allowing them to become neighborhood nuisances.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Melissa Fox
(717) 260-6522
mefox@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com /
Facebook.com/RepHeffley