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Warren County is like many counties across the state trying to come up with appropriate regulations for short-term rentals.
Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Weissport, wants to make that job a little easier with a statewide code of conduct for such rental properties. The legislator is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation is drafting that would help local governments as they deal with short-term rental issues.
"Despite those benefits, when there is a property that is being utilized as a short term rental that does not comply with local or state laws, or becomes a nuisance property for neighborhoods, it can become problematic for those nearby," Heffley wrote in his co-sponsorship memo. "To that end, I will shortly be introducing legislation that will set a statewide "code of conduct" for short term rentals, that will simply reiterate the need for these types of rentals 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. In addition, my legislation will 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 that the property is in noncompliance with."
The Warren County Planning Commission is reviewing a new ordinance to better regulate short-term rentals in Warren County. The ordinance would only apply to the 13 municipalities covered by the county's zoning ordinance, which excludes Warren and Youngsville. Public response at the most recent Planning Commission meeting was against the proposal, which would require no exit signs, a permit to authorize a short-term rental and would no longer allow recreational vehicles to be used as short-term rentals. Residents were also critical that the ordinance didn't deal with loud parties or the transient nature of short-term rentals, issues that have created many of the issues neighbors have with the rental properties.
While Heffley wants to help ensure compliance with local regulations, he also wants to make sure the short-term rental industry can operate in Pennsylvania.
"On the other hand, my legislation 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," he wrote. "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. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation to create a few minor guardrails to allow law abiding and compliance short term rentals to continue to operate freely but weed out problematic rentals from our communities."