Short Term Rentals in Groton

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!

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.

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!

Do you have a story about short term rentals in Groton?

This is a place to provide open feedback on the topic of Short Term rentals that can be viewed by all.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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STR's are Critical to Mystic

by Matt Rodrigues, over 1 year ago

I am a Mystic resident and an active STR host for over 5 years. I love Mystic and have been happy to watch its growth as a tourism powerhouse. I believe tourism - and by extension, STR’s - are critical to Mystic’s continued success; tourism dollars are a driving force in our local economy and a foundational element of our tax revenue. To suggest Mystic is simply a quaint, quiet neighborhood is to ignore what has driven folks to come here - and what has helped our local economy succeed. For our tourism economy to continue to flourish, we need... Continue reading
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STR

by Tom, about 2 years ago

I live one mile from downtown Mystic in a residential neighborhood. Two STR are on my street. One is adjacent to my home and is owned by a man who lives out of state. The second SRT is four houses down the street is owned by a corporation.
The STR next store is a party house. All the behavior issues you here at meetings happens at this property. When I’ve spoken to the owner he’s told me to call the police.
The second STR recently had eight vehicles parked on the street on a Sunday morning while seven men, dressed... Continue reading
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Benefit of STRs

by Jay, about 2 years ago

I just stayed at an STR near downtown mystic and sense no disruption to life in the neighborhood. The families around us were polite and welcoming. We loved visiting the town
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Let’s find some common ground

by Joe, about 2 years ago

Mystic and the greater Groton area is a wonderful place for many reasons and after reading through the posts in this forum, I can see many others love Mystic and Groton as much as I do. Perhaps @william provides a common sense approach that we can work with. Many have argued that the congestion of the downtown, especially the historic housing areas is creating a decreased quality of life for year round residents. I like the idea that @william provides around parking restrictions and tying these to existing occupancy & parking regulations that apply to motels/hotels. This would seem to... Continue reading
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STR LIMITATIONS ARE NEEDED

by Gman, about 2 years ago

As a longtime resident of Mystic, my downtown neighborhood on Pearl Street has been decimated by the Town of Groton and its awful ability to control the zoning of STR growth. This is in addition to the increased congestion caused by the lack of zoning of our area restaurants without ensuring suitable parking ... We must have some zoning control in support of our residential neighborhoods ... Other town and cities have, why can't Groton?
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Future Mystic

by Anna, about 2 years ago

What about home owners who just want to live in a neighborhood ?
Will those houses be the minority in Mystic ?

Doesn't take much to protect the reason most of us bought houses here ...
so do something or houses in every neighborhood will be a rental.

Add ordinances: town registration fee, no on-street parking, noise limits, smoke detectors, code of conduct, etc. But there will always be problems if the homeowner isn't there.

If there are going to be rentals...keep it owner occupied.
Do what's best for our neighborhoods and our future!
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Why Pretend About Being Open Minded, And That Zoning Matters?

by John D., about 2 years ago

I find this section on short term rentals to be insincere, and biased. After reading it all and taking the poll, I am left with the distinct impression that it has already been decided by Town staff and the consultants that there will be STR's in Groton, it is just that we need to go through the dance of feigning open mindedness before arriving at that pre-determined conclusion.
There is absolutely no acknowledgement, in the discussion nor the poll, that one valid viewpoint and choice is the reality which is - that the Town of Groton's Zoning Regulations currently do... Continue reading
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We need STRs in Groton

by Bailey, about 2 years ago

Let's face it, Groton is doing very well economically. This is a good thing, and it's largely due to tourism. If we stifle tourism by shutting down STRs, we severely limit the positive impact on the local economy. This will impact jobs, taxes and opportunities for local residents. The collective group of locally-owned STRs can accommodate more people than any hotel in Groton. Shutting down STRs is the same as forcing the largest hotel in town to close down, simply because some people are terribly afraid of change, and some feel "left behind" in this successful economy. The town of... Continue reading
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Mystic is About the People who live there - STR's are damaging that community

by William, about 2 years ago

To the average tourist, Mystic is a quaint historic town, that offers a variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities and vistas along the Mystic River. Tourists can walk along the streets in the residential areas and downtown and experience a walk through 200 years of history. It is important to understand how it got that way and what might be necessary to maintain it into the 100 years.
I once had an opportunity to hear a relative the the Mallory family talk about the development of the shipping industry in Mystic. The Mallory family was instrumental in the ship building... Continue reading
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Be carewful what you ask for

by Fran, about 2 years ago

Be careful what you ask for
We asked them, we invited them,, we gave them a sneak preview of all that Mystic had to offer though many forms of advertising including the Mystic Chamber.

And now they are here.

Mystic is no longer a town where people used to stumble upon, they come here anticapating great resturants, shops, education facilities like the seaport and aquarium and of course the water.
Where can the average family go to enjoy what we have to offer? STR serves a purpose.
I know this from experience, I purchased a tired house and totally had... Continue reading