By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

Planning Commission looks over Airbnb ordinance draft ideas at monthly meeting

(March 19, 2020) The Berlin Planning Commission looked over a short draft of the short-term rental rules last Wednesday that had been suggested by the mayor and Town Council.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart

Since last November, the council and Planning Commission have been looking into ordinances created by nearby municipalities and states regarding short-term rentals, including those known as Airbnbs.

Mayor Gee Williams discussed the importance of “what regulations should be created here in Berlin regarding short-term rentals” during the Town Council meeting on Monday, March 9, and Planning Director Dave Engelhart provided each member of the Planning Commission with a short list describing some of the rules suggested during the meeting.

Of these rules suggested were the definition of the terms “Short Term Residential Rental” and “Permanent Residence,” qualifying rental space, parking and violations.

Engelhart said the proposed measure consists of 14 pages that are ready for a first reading in the approval process, though no date for that hearing has been set.

The first reading had been set for Monday, March 23, with a public hearing set for Monday, April 6, however, both the upcoming March and first April meeting were canceled as a precaution due to coronavirus concerns.