Nahant Planning Board to Hold Hearings on Short-Term Rentals

The Nahant Planning Board will hold hearings on March 13th and March 14th to discuss potential regulations on short-term rentals. Nahant Building Inspector Wayne Wilson will present the zoning recommendations from the town approved Short Term Rental Committee on March 13th. Dan Dolce will present the recommendations on behalf of the citizens group which filed a citizen’s petition earlier this year.

Recommendations that the Planning Board will consider include a special permit requirement for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals. Special permits will be granted by the Board of Appeals for non-owner-occupied rentals after determination that the adverse effects of the proposed use will not outweigh the beneficial impacts of the town. Factors for determining to grant the special permit will include:

• Compliance will all town regulations and bylaws of the Commonwealth
• Ability of the property owner or agent/property manager to respond to the complaints within a timely manner
• Prior experience managing a short-term rental property
• Sufficient off-street parking
• Appearance of property in comparison to the neighborhood
• Host-guest agreement requiring compliance will all Short-Term Rental by-laws and regulations
• Prior and/or current experience with the town

Once issued, the special permit will be exclusive to the application and cannot be transferred without written consent from the Board of Appeals unless the transfer is between current spouses or to a trust where at least of one beneficiary is of first-degree relationship to the original applicant.

Updates on the proposed regulations on short-term rentals in Nahant will be posted on the NSR blog.