The New Haven Board of Alders is facing a contentious decision on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit most short‑term rentals—units leased for 30 days or fewer for exclusive transient use—outside of the homeowner’s primary residence. The measure, slated for a final vote on Monday night, could reshape the city’s housing market by limiting conversions of long‑term homes into short‑term rentals, a practice the ordinance’s sponsors say inflates rents and displaces residents.
According to the New Haven Independent, the ordinance was introduced by Aldermen Dwight Alder, Frank Douglass, Amanda Martinelli, and Leland Moore after advocacy from New Haven Rising, an affiliate of UNITE HERE locals 33, 34, and 35. The text argues that short‑term rentals “directly contribute to the displacement of long‑term neighbors and residents from their communities.” The proposal would still allow homeowners or long‑term tenants to obtain a license to rent rooms in their own apartment or list their home on platforms like Vrbo or Airbnb while they are away, but would bar owner‑occupants of multi‑family houses from operating rentals in separate units.
Public testimony at a recent Legislation Committee hearing ran more than five hours, prompting both supporters and opponents to launch advocacy websites and email campaigns. The pro‑rental‑restriction site “New Haven Is Not For Sale” lists UNITE HERE locals, Yale affiliates, and various religious groups as backers. In contrast, the site “Put New Haven First,” run by Airbnb operators Damian Paglia and Stephanie Kilpatrick, argues against the bill.
Amendments are already circulating among aldermen. Downtown/East Rock Alderman Christine Kim is drafting an exemption that would let owners operate short‑term rentals in an upstairs or downstairs apartment within their own multi‑family residence or in an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). She says she is “open” to other changes but believes an owner‑occupancy exemption is most likely to pass. Downtown/Yale Alderman Elias Theodore echoed that sentiment, stating he would only support an amendment allowing the owner to live in one of the units of a two‑ or three‑family home.
Other aldermen propose broader allowances. Westville Alderman Amy Marx favors exemptions that would let owners rent “as many units as you want in the building.” Dixwell Alderman Jeanette Morrison wants a distinction between corporations and individuals, permitting up to three short‑term rentals per person regardless of on‑site residence. Fair Haven Alderman Frank Redente, originally a strong supporter, is drafting a multi‑pronged amendment that would allow one owner‑occupied rental on the primary property and another on a separate property, impose a density cap of one non‑owner‑occupied rental per block, limit rentals to residential zones, and create exemptions for rentals tied to nonprofits, hospitals, universities, or government agencies.
The board consists of 30 aldermen, and the ordinance requires 16 affirmative votes to pass. Several members, including President Tyisha Walker‑Myers and Majority Leader Richard Furlow, have not responded to interview requests. With the vote imminent and multiple amendment proposals on the table, the outcome remains uncertain.
What’s next: The Board will convene Monday night for the final vote. Aldermen may delay the decision to incorporate amendment language, and any approved changes could reshape the city’s short‑term rental landscape for years to come.
Sources: newhavenindependent.org
