FORESTBURGH — In the interest of altering the Town Code to regulate short term rentals (STR) in the town of Forestburgh, the Town Board discussed a proposed draft of amendments which would be implemented into the Town Code.

A compiled list of potential additions of the Town Code were presented on April 4 by the short term rental subcommittee consisting of Town Board members Susan Parks-Landis and Vincent Galligan, who utilized STR-focused research completed by fellow board members Steve Budofsky and Karen Ellsweig.

Although there is no determined number of STRs that are operating in Forestburgh, recent research completed by local officials indicate there are around 30.

 In the attempts to regulate these operations, the Town Board discussed making additions and other changes to the Town Code to codify anticipated guidelines. The proposed changes listed below are liable to change or be removed, as discussions between board members continue.

Proposed changes

The short term rental subcommittee presented the following proposals to the Town Board:

In order to operate as an STR, the rental must be registered and approved for an STR in the Town of Forestburgh and County of Sullivan. 

Proof of current homeowner’s insurance is required as a condition of STR permit issuance. 

Applications will be made to the Town of Forestburgh Building Department with new Operating Permit Application (add new $25 application fee). Proof of registration with Sullivan County must be provided with application. 

Premise violations of any nature recorded in the Town of Forestburgh will render the application for an STR denied. 

STR’s are limited to one unit per lot, and cannot be adjacent to another approved STR. All STR’s in existence and in compliance with Town Code (registered with Sullivan County) at the time of passage of regulations will be grandfathered and not subject to restrictions of this specific provision. 

Once a complete STR Operating Permit Application is received, a safety and compliance inspection will be performed by the Town of Forestburgh Code Enforcement Officer (CEO).

Once approved for STR operation, an Accessory Use Permit (STR) will be issued with payment of annual approved fee. An inventory of approved STR’s will be maintained by the Town of Forestburgh. 

Approved STR’s will be subject to an annual fee as determined by the Town Board and required to recertify each year with an affidavit of compliance (new form) by the owner. Payment of the annual fee, approved re-certification, and proof of registration with Sullivan County will allow continuation of the approved STR.

The Town of Forestburgh establishes a cap of (to be determined based on current number of STR’s in Town of Forestburgh). Applications received for new STR’s above the cap will establish a waiting list based on age of application. 

Any violation found at a premise with an STR Accessory Use permit will result in suspension of the permit and rental until the violation is resolved with the Town of Forestburgh. Fines will be imposed for violations as established in XXXXXX [sic]. A second violation within 12 months of initial violation will result in revocation of the permit for a 12-month period. 

STR’s are limited to the approved owner and cannot be transferred to another owner. 

Any STR operating without a permit will be cited by the Town of Forestburgh CEO with violation of Town Code. Fines will be imposed, and the owner will be held responsible for compliance. Continuing noncompliance will result in legal prosecution and accumulating fines. 

A placard bearing the following information will be prominently displayed in the approved STR in plain sight: Owner Name, Premise Street Address, Premise Contact Name and Phone Number in case of Issue (24/7), Town of Forestburgh Code Enforcement Information, and Emergency Contact Information. A prominent 911 street address sign will be displayed at street level for identification in case of emergency. 

A number of these suggestions were met with critique, most notably item number five, which dictates that STR’s are limited to one unit per lot, and cannot be adjacent to another approved STR.

Following the presentation of these adjustments, Town Supervisor Dan Hogue Jr. requested that each board member individually submit their thoughts on the proposed list to establish grounds for future discussion on the matter.

No action regarding the proposed amendments was taken by the board last Thursday.