Advocates seek statewide short-term rental registry

Advocates are seeking passage of a bill to create a short-term rental registry for the state.

The bill would require property owners to register their units with the Department of State every two years and allow municipalities with their own registries to keep their systems. The state would then send monthly reports to municipalities detailing the number, locations and number of nights occupied by short-term rentals. The bill would allow municipalities to collect sales and occupancy tax on these rentals, according to advocates.

The state is grappling with a shortage of affordable housing, which advocates for the bill said is exacerbated by short-term rentals, which is removing needed housing from the community.

The registry would also create an even playing field with hotels and motels, which are required to collect sales and occupancy tax on guests.