Short Term Rentals in Groton

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Update: An application has been submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission (REGA23-0001, Short Term Rental Zoning Text Amendments). A public hearing was held on January 9, 2024. The application was approved on the April 9, 2024 meeting and will be effective on May 15, 2024.

If you like to travel, you've probably heard of VRBO or Airbnb-style short-term rentals (STRs). You may also rent out a vacation home, a portion of your home, or the neighborhood that you live in may be impacted by a STR. Residential housing is being used in many different ways, one of which is to rent that home for short periods of time. STRs were once a niche way to travel, but are now available for rent all over the world.

The Town of Groton is considering ways to regulate STRs. What you might not know is that at this time, the State of Connecticut has no legislation in place regulating short term rentals statewide. Historically, Groton hasn’t regulated them either. So to keep up with the demand, regulation of these properties must be done through a change to our zoning regulations or development of a new town ordinance.

  • Zoning Regulations provide rules about how a piece of land or property can be used, how large a building can be, whether a business can be opened on a property, as well as establishing parking, landscaping and lighting requirements. Zoning laws govern issues like site construction, hours of operation, parking requirements, signs, garbage collection, and the like. Zoning could specify which districts allow STRs and can specify how STRs are approved. Zoning can require that a permit is issued to the property, not the operator, and zoning can dictate enforcement through the zoning enforcement officer. Zoning regulations are adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the regulations will only apply to new uses.
  • A Town Ordinance, on the other hand, would apply to both new STRs and those already operating. It would eliminate the potential for existing properties to claim grandfathered rights to operate STRs and would issue a license to the operator and not the property. An ordinance would also put nuisance enforcement in the hands of the Police. An ordinance is adopted by the Town Council.

Whether we decide on new zoning or an ordinance, to develop these new regulations for STR's Groton is engaging the Horsley Witten Group to seek solutions that protect public interests and meet the needs of all residents. We strive to create regulations that generate inclusive opportunities for local wealth-creation, while still balancing the needs of all members of the community.

Please take a look around this page. You will find a project timeline, links to documents, staff contacts, and opportunities to leave feedback throughout the project.

Thank you for your interest and participation!

Update: An application has been submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission (REGA23-0001, Short Term Rental Zoning Text Amendments). A public hearing was held on January 9, 2024. The application was approved on the April 9, 2024 meeting and will be effective on May 15, 2024.

If you like to travel, you've probably heard of VRBO or Airbnb-style short-term rentals (STRs). You may also rent out a vacation home, a portion of your home, or the neighborhood that you live in may be impacted by a STR. Residential housing is being used in many different ways, one of which is to rent that home for short periods of time. STRs were once a niche way to travel, but are now available for rent all over the world.

The Town of Groton is considering ways to regulate STRs. What you might not know is that at this time, the State of Connecticut has no legislation in place regulating short term rentals statewide. Historically, Groton hasn’t regulated them either. So to keep up with the demand, regulation of these properties must be done through a change to our zoning regulations or development of a new town ordinance.

  • Zoning Regulations provide rules about how a piece of land or property can be used, how large a building can be, whether a business can be opened on a property, as well as establishing parking, landscaping and lighting requirements. Zoning laws govern issues like site construction, hours of operation, parking requirements, signs, garbage collection, and the like. Zoning could specify which districts allow STRs and can specify how STRs are approved. Zoning can require that a permit is issued to the property, not the operator, and zoning can dictate enforcement through the zoning enforcement officer. Zoning regulations are adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the regulations will only apply to new uses.
  • A Town Ordinance, on the other hand, would apply to both new STRs and those already operating. It would eliminate the potential for existing properties to claim grandfathered rights to operate STRs and would issue a license to the operator and not the property. An ordinance would also put nuisance enforcement in the hands of the Police. An ordinance is adopted by the Town Council.

Whether we decide on new zoning or an ordinance, to develop these new regulations for STR's Groton is engaging the Horsley Witten Group to seek solutions that protect public interests and meet the needs of all residents. We strive to create regulations that generate inclusive opportunities for local wealth-creation, while still balancing the needs of all members of the community.

Please take a look around this page. You will find a project timeline, links to documents, staff contacts, and opportunities to leave feedback throughout the project.

Thank you for your interest and participation!

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  • Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Facebook Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Twitter Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Linkedin Email STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) link

    STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress)

    by Tyrone, almost 2 years ago

    The hotel industry supports home sharing, the rights of property owners to rent out a room in their home, and we have advocated for ordinances that officially legalize such short-term rentals. But we also believe short-term rentals should abide by the same laws as hotels and every other business: registering their business, paying taxes, following laws and regulations, and removing illegal listings.

    Unfortunately, many Big Tech short-term rental platforms flout local laws, creating safety concerns, reducing affordable housing inventory, driving up rent prices, and displacing long-term residents. Communities across the country are recognizing this growing challenge and adopting common-sense regulations... Continue reading

  • Share It’s about balance on Facebook Share It’s about balance on Twitter Share It’s about balance on Linkedin Email It’s about balance link

    It’s about balance

    by Barbara Bourgeois, almost 2 years ago
    I am both in favor of STRs as well as preserving our neighborhoods and respecting the rights of those who live here. Can all of these things exist together? I think they can.

    Here in Groton, as in many surrounding towns, we are faced with a new situation, not experienced before.
    Our residents have created some beautiful and welcoming home-based guest accommodations and our Mystic guests love them!! Visitors are enjoying our little town like never before!
    While this is beneficial to our local businesses and to our STR owners, it has taken a toll on some of our residents.

    ... Continue reading

  • Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Facebook Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Twitter Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Linkedin Email Mystic is a thriving Family town link

    Mystic is a thriving Family town

    by Marguerite144, almost 2 years ago

    I am a resident of Mystic, and manage short term rentals. Most of my guests come to mystic with their children, grandparents, or to visit their grandchildren and family. Groups that chose strs over hotels often do so because they have young and older people that a house is better suited for. Some have lived here before, and want to come back to a place that feels like home- not a hotel. All have been courteous, friendly, and responsible. A few guests, I have kept in contact with as friends. It makes me sad that the biggest complaint I see... Continue reading

  • Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Facebook Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Twitter Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Linkedin Email Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It link

    Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It

    by Jeff year around resident Mystic Historic District, almost 2 years ago

    BIG TIME INVESTORS AND LLCs, AND WANABE HOTEL OWNERS ARE DESTROYING MYSTIC ONE STR AT A TIME.

    Twenty-three years ago this fall I bought my home in the Mystic Historic District. It was a dilapidated, gray, 4-unit apartment house the NONRESIDENT LANDLORD (NONRES) sold to me for less than he paid years earlier because it was his only offer. Since then, with my two hands, I have slowly restored most of the charm back into the 190 year old home of a Mystic Sea Captain and his family once lived. Over the past 20 plus the years I’ve seen... Continue reading

  • Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Facebook Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Twitter Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Linkedin Email Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! link

    Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!!

    by Arnaud Bourgeois , almost 2 years ago

    My name is Arnaud Bourgeois I'm the VP of MHA (Mystic Host Association).

    I reside on Gravel Street in the heart of Mystic and I'm surrounded by few empty homes with out of town residents occupying their home only a few weeks a year, by local people living downtown and by STR's owners leaving next to their STRs or away from them. I'm a every day witness of what is happening downtown. Few neighbors are complaining of noises and parking issues. I do believe that noises and parking issue is not the result of STRs but more of growing pains... Continue reading

  • Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Facebook Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Twitter Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Linkedin Email STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" link

    STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need"

    by Jeff year around resident Mystic Historic District, almost 2 years ago

    There are many good reasons why local government leaders are focused on finding ways to manage the rapid growth of home-sharing and short-term rental properties in their communities. To name a few:

    1. Increased tourist traffic from short-term renters has the potential to slowly transform peaceful residential communities into “communities of transients” where people are less interested in investing in one another’s lives, be it in the form of informal friend groups or church, school and other community based organizations.

    2. Short-term renters may not always know (or follow) local rules, resulting in public safety risks, noise issues, trash and... Continue reading

  • Share Save Mystic on Facebook Share Save Mystic on Twitter Share Save Mystic on Linkedin Email Save Mystic link

    Save Mystic

    by Anna, almost 2 years ago

    20 years ago, I moved to a quaint, historic seaside town ...

    where did it go?

    Everyone wants to be here: day trippers, overnight guests, potential home owners.

    Why? Because Mystic is Americana, but it can quickly disappear.

    I've rented houses on vacation in Siesta Key, Newport, Nantucket ... but I wouldn't want to live there. Mystic will become a town of vacation rentals unless some ordinances are in place.

    I live in a Sea Captain's house on High Street in Mystic surrounded by friendly neighbors. I sometimes rent my house, but I stay on my property out of respect... Continue reading

  • Share No police citations or formal complaints on Facebook Share No police citations or formal complaints on Twitter Share No police citations or formal complaints on Linkedin Email No police citations or formal complaints link

    No police citations or formal complaints

    by jlhesp, almost 2 years ago
    As a new Airbnb host and MHA member (Mystichostsassociation.com) I was interested in any negative issues with STR's. I attended the town meeting and specifically asked the town counsel what have the issues been? How many times have the local police been contacted? How many breach of peace citations have been issued? How many noise ordinances have been violated? At the meeting I asked to see and review each complaint and how each was addressed by the property owner. Nothing was presented because none of this data exists. One or two disgruntled neighbors spoke, one who's issue was he does... Continue reading
  • Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Facebook Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Twitter Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Linkedin Email Vacation homes often do create a sense of community link

    Vacation homes often do create a sense of community

    by Jodi, almost 2 years ago

    We recently rented our Vacation home to the captain and some crew members of the Viking Ship currently at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Ours was not the only home in Mystic that the crew rented. They came from overseas and stayed for three weeks, riding rental bikes to the Seaport each day, and working long hours. They came home tired and hungry and happy to be able to relax and cook at a home, together; not sequestered to their own individual hotel rooms with no access to a kitchen. They were excited and proud of the work they were doing... Continue reading

  • Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Facebook Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Twitter Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Linkedin Email Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown link

    Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown

    by Mystic local yokel, almost 2 years ago

    My husband and I currently live in a colonial home we renovated on Ashby Street in Mystic. I passionately believe that a proliferation of short-term rentals will harm Mystic. We must act now to ideally eliminate the use of short-term rental properties in Mystic, and at a minimum heavily regulate this industry that may end up becoming a parasite for our lovely town.

    I first had the opportunity to come to Groton when the Navy sent me in 2008. I immediately fell in love with its New England charm and knew one day I wanted to call this home. The... Continue reading

Page last updated: 11 Apr 2024, 08:06 AM