The Easton Town Council held a work session this week to discuss the regulation of short-term rentals such as those booked through Airbnb. Councilmember Al Silverstein brought the issue forward after a constituent complained about a neighbor who rents out his home.

As reported by The Star Democrat,

Silverstein called it a property rights issue, in that it’s essentially a commercial business that doesn’t have to jump through all the hoops that businesses in a commercial district have to, or pay the taxes that hotels and bonafide bed and breakfasts do. He said the neighbors of the short-term rental dwellings aren’t notified before the homeowner starts renting it.

But even if the council were to pass legislation that regulates short-term dwelling rentals, specifically those for vacations booked online, the greater question at the work session was how to enforce the law.

“This is going to be a mess to try and enforce,” said council president John Ford. One idea that came up during the work session is to make enforcement complaint driven.