It seems that some residents of Beaufort are concerned about the increase in short term rentals and the potential impact on the character of neighborhoods that may result.  I haven’t found any reports of specific problems.  Rather, it seems to be a case of concern from residents about a potential problem and putting in place measures to keep it from developing.

It all sounds rather a lot like the objections from Raleigh residents that I wrote about earlier this year.  And so, as commissioners look at the issue more closely, I’d urge them to consider the arguments I made in April.  Much of the actual behavior about which residents are concerned is already regulated through things like noise ordinances and parking regulations.  Local HOAs can easily amend covenants to prevent these sorts of rentals if the people living in specific communities want to do so.  There are lighter touch options available.

Beaufort is a small town with an important tourist industry.  Commissioners, and indeed the residents who are raising these objections, should be very careful about making it more difficult for tourists, who come in large numbers and spend significant money in the town, to find affordable accommodation that meets their needs.