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November 11, 2015

Rockland gives initial OK to Airbnb regulations

Rockland’s City Council gave initial approval Monday to new regulations for short-term rentals like ones through Airbnb.

The Bangor Daily News reported that the proposed rules would require people who rent out rooms for less than one month at a time to get a permit from the code enforcement officer and provide proof of insurance.

Property owners in residential zones who want to rent out entire houses or one unit of a duplex for less than a month would also need planning board approval. Buildings with three or more units would be required to have sprinklers.

How to deal with short-term rentals through online services such as Airbnb has been a challenge for municipalities around the country, especially in places that have seen steep increases in rent prices.

A Portland housing committee recently began discussing potential regulation, including requiring property owners to register with the city, limiting the number of days a unit can be rented and only allowing primary residences to be rented, the Portland Press Herald reported in a story about the topic last month.

Rockland councilors will hold a public hearing and possible final vote on Dec. 14, the BDN reported.

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