Vote on short-term rental ban tabled

The Wantage Township Committee tabled an ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals of homes at its Aug. 15 meeting, Township Administrator Michael Restel said.

“That matter was tabled until further notice to allow the committee to look further into it,” he said. “There were a couple of Realtors and someone from the state Realtor’s association who spoke against it.”

The proposed ordinance, which would prohibit rentals of homes for less than 30 consecutive days, aims to increase the availability and affordability of long-term rentals.

A portion of ordinance says, “ ... studies show that increasing the availability of short-term rentals raises rental prices overall and diminishes the availability of long-term rentals.”

It also says, “It has been the township’s experience that short-term rentals can result in public nuisance, noise complaints, sanitation issues, overcrowding and illegal parking and essentially convert residential dwelling units into de-facto hotels, motels, boarding houses and other commercial enterprises in violation of the township’s ordinances as well as state statutes.”

In May, the Sparta Township Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the rental of properties for less than 28 days. The 4-1 vote came after several meetings where the issue was discussed and residents expressed their views for and against the ban.

Other towns have taken different steps in regulating short-term rentals.

West Milford increased its registration fees from owners of short-term rental properties from $500 to $750 in July, saying more township employees are needed to manage the rentals.

Vernon monitors short-term rentals to ensure that they meet township rules but welcomes them to the tourist-friendly town.