Starkey approves new rental law

STARKEY--Proprietors of short-term rentals in the town of Starkey are now required to obtain permits that comply with new regulations rectified by the town council. Existing short-term rental agreements are required to comply to these requirements by Dec. 31, 2018.
Local law defines a "short-term" rental as "a dwelling unit that is rented, in whole or in part, to any person or entity for a period of less than 30 consecutive nights and is not regulated by any other section of the Code of the Town of Starkey."
All rental units meeting this description must submit an application for rental permit to the town Code Enforcement Officer Brian Quackenbush, coupled with a $150 permit fee.
Under the new regulation, maximum occupancy is calculated on two people per sleeping room, and rooms less than 100 square feet can have only one person per room, plus two people. Additionally, rental owners are required to provide off street parking for their renters, coinciding with the total number of sleeping rooms. The septic system must remain clear of parking spaces.
Applications for short term rental permits must include:
• A list of owners of the property
• An affidavit certifying the owners meet the required number of sleeping rooms and parking spaces.
• A site plan, drawn to scale, which includes the location of the septic systems.
• Contact information of someone responsible to uphold these requirements, owner or agent.
The new law requires all rental owners to apply for a valid permit every three years, as the permit expires after Dec. 31 of the third year it is in effect. Town Supervisor George Lawson said this off-season expiration date is intended to give rental owners enough time to obtain a new permit. The entire local law, Article 12 of the Town of Starkey Code, can be read at https://photos.observer-review.com/News/The-Observer/2018-News-Photo-Archive/Starkey-Law/i-TMz3kwL.
Quackenbush can be reached at 607-243-7996 and at starkeyceo@gmail.com.