Sec. 23-1. - Purpose and authority.
This chapter is enacted to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the city
under the authority granted to it by 24 V.S.A. §2291 and sections 103-104 of the city
charter. Due to an ongoing increase in the number of rental dwelling units in the
city, continued and projected population growth in the city, the aging of some of
the city's housing stock, and the existing and potential future conversion of permanent
housing into short-term accommodations, the council hereby finds that the regulation
of rental dwelling units is necessary to maintain and protect the public health, safety
and welfare of the city and its residents. This chapter is intended to provide a process:
(1)
Through which dwelling units used for rental housing must be registered with the city
for use as long-term or short-term rentals;
(2)
To disclose the ownership of such rental properties;
(3)
To regulate the renting of dwelling units within the city;
(4)
To make owners and persons responsible for the maintenance of property more accessible
and accountable with respect to the premises;
(5)
To ensure that housing units remain available for rent to those who reside or seek
to reside within the city;
(6)
To ensure that the city is not unduly impacted by the operation of short-term rentals;
and
(7)
To ensure that owners and tenants of rental dwelling units comply with all building,
health and fire safety codes and ordinances adopted by the city.
This chapter shall constitute a civil ordinance within the meaning of 24 V.S.A. chapter
59.
(Ord. of 02-20-2024(1))