Short-Term Rental Ordinance Aimed At Preserving Residential New Hope

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, Pa. — New Hope Borough has a new ordinance on the books regulating short term rentals.

In a unanimous vote, the Borough Council this month approved the ordinance aimed at preserving the town’s residential character.

The ordinance would institute a permitting process requiring short term rental owners to register their properties and to undergo a safety inspection. It would also limit rentals to 180 days a year.

Short term rentals have generated complaints in some sections of the borough, including a location on the towpath and in Riverwoods.

“This is a very popular town,” said Councilman Dan Dougherty. “We don’t want our residential properties turned into commercial operations. And none of our residents want a commercial operation in the house next door with transients going in and out.”

Several residents who have been renting out their homes in the borough objected to the new ordinance, which would limit their rentals to no more than 180 days a year.

Jim Hanlon, who has rented his West Mechanics Street home for the past 12 years as a source of retirement income, told council that the ordinance would have a detrimental impact on his business.

Hanlon, who lives at the property, said he rents out space 230 to 250 days a year. “It’s a successful business. This is our business. We compete against the hotels in town.”

The ordinance, he said, would limit his rentals to 180 days. “I’ve already done 184 this year. I average 230 to 250. It’s a successful business. I subsequently went over to Lambertville and purchased a house there, which I also do short term rentals.”

“The reason this was brought to light was that we had received numerous complaints about a house that has been a major offender right on the canal,” responded Council President Connie Gehring. “This house is owned by a major corporation that owns roughly 100 houses and just rents them out. They have 20-30 people living there. When we start getting complaints we as a borough have to be responsible and put something in place. I personally believe that having your place registered and inspected is for the safety of everybody.”

Hanlon responded, “Why don’t you penalize them,” he asked, suggesting some kind of three strikes and you’re out policy. “This is my business that you’re taking away,” he said. “In Lambertville for $100 they come and inspect your house to make sure its safe and once a year I do that.”

Hanlon said he doesn’t tolerate partying on his property and his units are not negatively impacting his neighbors. In fact, he told council, he has the support of his neighbors.

“I understand and you seem very upstanding, but that’s not always the case,” said Dougherty. “But this is a residential community. And if you’re in a residential zoning district.”

“The problem is we have outsiders coming in and buying up property land running Air BNBs,” said Gehring. “It’s unfortunate. You are a resident, but we have to control what is going on. It’s to the benefit of your neighbors and the other residents. We have a young lady who is sitting here who has a neighbor that’s a nightmare for her with an Air BNB.”

The proposed ordinance has been long in review, long in consideration and publicly advertised under the statute, said borough solicitor John Fenningham. “The fundamental issue is residential preservation versus operating a business in a residential district. That’s what this comes down to,” he said.