The Rise of Airbnb in Plattsburgh - What's Next?

The popular short-term rental platform Airbnb has residents of Plattsburgh, New York concerned. At recent city council meetings, residents have voiced apprehension about the proliferation of short-term rental properties cropping up in their neighborhoods. While Airbnb provides travelers with flexible lodging options, residents argue short-term rentals negatively impact the community. So what's being done about it?

Residents Voice Concerns Over Airbnb's Impact

The crux of the issue is that Plattsburgh is currently facing a housing shortage, especially affordable housing. Residents want to avoid seeing homes that could provide full-time housing for local families being used for short-term rentals instead. They argue this reduces availability for workers and families looking to live in Plattsburgh long-term.

Several residents specifically pointed to STR properties operating in the Ridgewood Drive neighborhood, which is zoned as Residential 1. Plattsburgh's zoning already prohibits short-term rentals from operating in residential areas, but enforcement appears to be lacking.

Opponents of short-term rental properties believe they bring a host of problems to once quiet neighborhoods: increased traffic and parking as strangers come and go, lack of safety enforcement, and an overall loss of community as neighborhoods transition to transient lodging. As one resident put it, Airbnbs "completely change the dynamic" of residential areas, eliminating "year-round living possibilities for families."

Residents also argued that the loss of full-time residents impacts local schools. The theory is that if enough homes become short-term rentals catering to visitors, school enrollment may decline, resulting in loss of state funding tied to enrollment numbers.

Plattsburgh Reviews Policy and Rental Data

So what is Plattsburgh doing about this growing concern over short-term rentals? The city is currently gathering data and reviewing its rental policies.

At recent city council and public safety meetings, officials discussed the need for an accurate count of short-term rentals currently operating in Plattsburgh. While the city has a rental registry, it's not capturing the full landscape. Officials also want to analyze vacancy rates to see how many properties could be turned into housing.

Once they have a clearer picture, the city can make more informed policy decisions. Some officials have advocated for banning short-term rentals altogether. Others want to create a registration system and regulations to control them.

Mayor Christopher Rosenquest has said that New York State recently changed laws pertaining to short-term housing. He also clarified misconceptions about taxes - while Airbnb collects occupancy taxes from guests, the city currently does not receive any of this revenue. Amending this could be part of a regulatory approach.

In the meantime, the city's building inspector is researching how other municipalities regulate and monitor short-term rentals. A registration system and stricter zoning enforcement are options on the table.

While Airbnb has made renting a room or home more accessible for property owners, Plattsburgh has legitimate concerns about short-term rentals eating into its housing supply. The community relies on full-time residents to support the workforce, schools, and local economy. Hopefully, the city's efforts to collect data and review policy will lead to fair, practical solutions that work for all. The outcome will be closely watched by residents worried about losing the character of their neighborhoods and short-term rental hosts whose businesses may be impacted.

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