write to STRR@yorkmaine.org
I sent the following email since I probably cannot be there in person:
To the York STRR Committee, thank you for providing us the opportunity to share our concerns regarding short-term rentals (STRs) in York. Last year, I witnessed firsthand the significant impact that STR sales can have on property assessments and, consequently, the taxes of owner-occupied homes.
In my neighborhood (Neighborhood 135), property assessments rose by an average of 37%, with some increasing by as much as 100%. This drastic change resulted from the sale of three STRs within the past two years. These were the only sales of single-family homes in our neighborhood during that period, leaving the Assessor no choice but to use them as benchmarks for setting property assessments for the entire neighborhood. As is often the case with investment properties, all three STRs sold at prices far exceeding their assessed values—up to 100% higher in some instances.
The STRs in question were "whole-house" STRs—properties where no owner resides, and the home is exclusively used as a business or income-generating property. I believe that such "whole-house" STRs should not be categorized as single-family homes. They should fall under a distinct use code and their sales should not influence the reassessments of actual single-family homes occupied by owners.
To address these concerns fairly, I propose that the town implement the following measures:
Identify and register all STRs in York.
Distinguish between "whole-house" STRs (owner absent) and "home-sharing" STRs (owner present).
Assign a commercial land use code to "whole-house" STRs.
Limit the number of "whole-house" STRs in York neighborhoods.
STR owners should be allowed to self-report and register their properties with the town, free of charge. However, if they fail to report or register, they should be placed at the back of the waiting list if the town decides to enforce a cap on the number of STRs. In addition, all unregistered STRs should be considered illegal and subject to a fine.
Thank you very much,
Paul Palumbo
18 First Street
Well said Paul. Direct, clearly stated and solution focused. That should be our approach in all of our messaging. Peter & Maureen