HomeMy WebLinkAbout031425 email - Not in Favor of Short Term RentalsALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
As residents of Cape George, we enjoy a close-knit community. We love our neighborhood with its assortment of primarily retired residents, some of whom are long-term renters. Recently,
we've noticed an increasing number of short-term rentals (STRs) nearby, most of which appear to be unpermitted. Sadly, the Cape George HOA is unable to control this situation. We are
hoping that broad Jefferson County rules can help communities throughout the county maintain relationships with their neighbors instead of experiencing a constant rotation of disruptive
strangers who have no interest in the future of the neighborhood and more interest in partying while on vacation.
Jefferson County has a severe housing shortage due to its high real estate prices which impacts more than non-wealthy retirees - working people cannot afford to live here. We strongly
believe that Jefferson County should control the number of STRs by as many means as possible:
-requiring permits
-establishing a meaningful cap on permits issued
-requiring that the owner live on premises
-not allowing Airbnb or other lodging platforms to advertise unpermitted STRs
-enforcement and non-trivial fining of those who continue to rent out unpermitted STRs. We have personally found that enforcement has been lax as nothing ever seems to happen to those
who operate unpermitted STRs - they continue to be rented out even after they have been reported.
We are particularly troubled by those who purchase houses for the express purpose of profiteering from STRs in a tourist destination such as Port Townsend - not only do they not live
in the purchased house but they don't live nearby or perhaps even in Washington state. This should not be allowed under any circumstances.
People who can afford to operate STRs can also afford to convert those units into long-term rentals which would at least benefit the housing shortage referenced previously. No neighborhood
builds stronger communities from STRs - all they do is add to one owner's wealth while taking housing from those who need it.
Sincerely,
Terri Stafford & Mike Lapointe