Short Term Rentals on the Peninsula

One of the ongoing “hot” topics in local government across the country is the issue of Short Term Rentals (STRs), and how best to balance regulating the industry, protecting the rights of property owners and preserving neighborhood character. The City of Hampton has been working on an ordinance that is intended to meet all of those markers, and VPAR has been engaged in the process.  Just last week, Susan Gaston our CAO spoke on our behalf. Below is a transcript of her presentation to the City of Hampton.

The Planning Commission recommended that the language go forward to the City Council, as amended, to reflect that the Commission recommends Council to offer a revised, reduced separation radius between STR properties. Council meets on June 12th, and VPAR will be at the meeting.

Stay tuned.

Peggy Todd
2024 VPAR Board President

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Commission, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good afternoon. I’m Susan Gaston and I am here with you today on behalf of my client, the Virginia Peninsula Association of REALTORS®, otherwise known as VPAR. The Association represents real estate professionals and advocates for housing opportunities and the rights of private property owners throughout the localities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Isle of Wight County and York County, as well as the greater Peninsula and Hampton Roads regions.

I would like to begin by thanking the City staff for the amazing work and guidance that they have provided throughout this process.  Allison Jakura, Bonnie Brown and their teams have done yeoman’s work to make sure that stakeholders could be candid, disagree without being disagreeable and work together in what remains a very inclusive effort.

As you may know, VPAR has a long-standing, collaborative relationship with the City of Hampton that has produced some of the most positive policy language in the region, and in some cases, in the country. Our mutual cooperation and candor have set a standard among REALTOR® associations throughout the nation; model ordinances and significant community engagement efforts have been the result, from flooding and resiliency to rental inspection.

The Association believes that we are well on our way to a similar positive outcome with the City’s approach to regulating Short Term Rental properties. VPAR has had a seat at the table throughout these many months of discussion, including actively participating in the first round of work group meetings that initially vetted the issue and helped to establish specific policy provisions. Since then, we have maintained ongoing communication with the City Staff on how best to move forward with a policy that not only benefits Short Term Rental property owners, but that also benefits the renters and users of these properties, all while enhancing the City’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination, and maintaining - if not strengthening - the character and quality of Hampton’s neighborhoods.

VPAR realizes that not every provision in this ordinance is perfect; no legislative product really ever is. All legislation is intended to be fluid so that, over time, policy mirrors practice and reflects ongoing stakeholder engagement and community input.

With this as backdrop, there are points in the draft ordinance that will need to be continually assessed and amended. We all know that this is a work in progress. The most relevant issue in the draft ordinance is the 500-foot rule, which does warrant further study. VPAR would align itself with several previous speakers who have suggested that this diameter is too restrictive, and should be considered for possible reduction by the Commission in its recommendation to Council.  

But while the work continues, let’s not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This is a good, if not great, work product. It is on its way to being a model municipal statute. Let’s keep working so that the language can evolve, but in the meantime, let’s give some certainty and focus on the STR units that are in operation and those that could be in operation, allowing those property owners to fulfill their dreams and pursue their rights while balancing the rights of neighbors and STR users, tourists and other visitors to the City, all while enhancing the City’s economy and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Additional information and public input from the Planning Commission meeting can be found here.