Short-term Rentals and House Bill 3554
There has been and continues to be much discussion about short-term rentals (STR). Some people like to say how good STRs are for town. I say that is nothing but misstatement, and in some cases, lies. It is all about money. Most short-term rental owners use STR to cover their bills, mortgages, and make as much money as they can. Here is the proof – why do they not rent to locals or workers who desperately need housing? Because they make more money renting to tourists. So, do not tell me they care about the community, because they do not. They are not concerned about the widow who lives two houses over or the family with small children who live next door. It is all about the money. They do not even know who is renting their house. Is it a bad person, a known sex offender, or worse? All they know is that someone is renting the house and they are making money. Do they care that eight people are in five vehicles and taking up all the parking spaces? Do they care that a house full of college kids are partying late and the next-door neighbor cannot sleep but has to wake up at 5 am to go work? The STR owner will not shed a tear and is not overly concerned as long as the money keeps rolling in.
In the Town of Davis, we tried to regulate and pass a sensible ordinance to allow STRs while protecting our full-time residents. No sooner did we start the process than STR owners lawyered up. I assure the residents of Davis that we have not given up, but now at least one person has successfully gotten a delegate from another district to introduce House Bill 3554 to further limit municipalities from being able to regulate STRs—a clear example of overreach by the State. How can a state law that applies to southern West Virginia, Morgantown, Davis, and all of West Virginia solve the local challenges of STRs? Each community faces unique and different circumstances. There cannot be a ‘one solution fits all’ for these situations. I would argue that the mayor and council know better how to solve their local STR issues than lawmakers in Charleston. However, when money is at stake, that is when the lawyers and politicians raise their heads. It is all about money.
Owners of STRs are quick to explain that they provide Hotel Motel Tax monies to the town. Just to be clear, I will NEVER sell out our town for money. This issue is about our community, the place where we live. I will continue to fight the STR battle and stand up for our full-time residents who live and work in Davis. Not everything is about making money. I hope that HB3554 is defeated and that STRs are put in more appropriate locations, in commercial business areas/zones, and not where they can destroy our community and way of life.
Al Tomson
Mayor, Town of Davis