The Planning Board’s proposed articles 5, 6, and 7 on Short Term Rentals were created without real data on how many short term rentals actually exist in Camden. Estimates varied anywhere from 150 to 450. For the sake of this discussion lets assume there are 275 short term rentals.

If these articles pass the Code Enforcement Officer and planning Department would be required to do the following.            

            Receive and review 275 applications

            Collect 275 required fees

            Identify and confirm location of 275 properties

            Determine zoning compliance of 275 properties

            Review tenant information packet of 275 properties

            Review condo bylaws of any rental in a condo association

            Do an extensive onsite inspection of 275 properties

            Review septic and water of those properties not on town systems 

            Issue 275 licenses

            Confirm online advertising has license number posted

            Confirm online advertising has calendar uploaded

            Deal with enforcement, violations, and appeals

The planning department has continually assured the board and public that they could handle this additional workload with existing staff. This is a planning department that couldn’t even produce these proposed rules in a timely manner. I have no doubt that in short order the taxpayers will be asked to finance additional personnel.

Please vote no on Articles 5, 6, and 7.

Stephen Gold lives in Camden