With regard to the possible impact of the City of Rockingham’s consideration of a unified development ordinance amendment that would allow bed and breakfasts in the Rockingham Historic District, there are many issues to take into account.
It appears that the traditional B&Bs inns are being replaced with the more modern AirBnB type of rentals. These short term rentals are not as expensive to rent as a traditional hotel room. Many cities throughout the country have refused to allow them or have tried to enforce many restrictions. Many cities also noted that some of the problems they are having with short term rentals would be reduction in long term rentals. Homeowners in many cases can make more money renting a room or their entire home for more a week than they can as a monthly rental. These in many cases reduce the available and affordable rentals for many residents of the community. Another is the impact short term rentals have on existing traditional hotels. Since the short term rental is typically less expensive than the hotels in the area, people usually choose to rent the short term rental. This pulls business away from the local hotels. Hotels also employ the residents of the community but short term rental do not typically have the need for employees.
Residents of the neighborhoods where there are many short term rentals may experience difficulties in selling their property with longer time spend n the market and lower sales prices. Currently there is not a mandatory disclosure in North Carolina for residents near a short term rental property. The literature suggests that it is only a matter of time before a mandatory disclosure will be implemented. People buying residences next to or near a short term rental want to know the proximity of the short term rentals to the property they are considering for purchase. Many residents living next to or near a short term rental may experience increased noise, more traffic, more strangers walking around in the area and sometimes littering.
In addition, many buyers currently want to know something about the neighbors and neighborhoods where they are considering purchasing a home. Many buyers consult websites such as the sex offender registry, NC offender search prior to purchasing a home. Families with young children are extremely mindful and spend lots of time researching neighborhoods. That research typically includes the above mentioned websites. When short term rentals are close by, potential buyers for residential homes will be unable to determine who their neighbors might be. This may also contribute to difficulties in selling residences near short term rentals.
In some instances entire homes have been rented for large parties and sometimes commercial parties. These types of incidents have made citizens living in residences near short term rental very worried about the peaceful enjoyment of their homes.
Short term rentals in many cases are largely unregulated and note required to adhere to many public safety laws, including fire exits and sprinklers. In addition, if the homeowner lists his or her home on a website such as AirBnB there may be insurance issues. If a homeowner only has a homeowner’s insurance policy and there is a claim of loss or liability the claim may not be covered.
Currently, in Rockingham we have many people that love our beautiful city and its history. People not from our area may not be aware of the wonderful history of our town and the historical homes in the Historic District. It seems that allowing short term rentals may cause harm to the history of these homes as well as to the residents currently residing in the historical district. Some of the current residents remember when this issue was discussed in the 1980s and ‘90s. I remember attending the meetings with my parents in the 1980s and ‘90s and I remember how some of the residents of the Historic District were concerned about preserving our Historic District. My father was Joe McLaurin, he was the local historian of our county for many years. I remember his words regarding the peacefulness and beauty of our Historic District. I believe I am the only resident of the Historic District to be raised in a local historic home that returned to purchase a home within the Historic District. I did this in order to raise my son the way I was raised.
The Historic District is currently a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I want it to stay that way and encourage the City Council to reject the UDO amendment that would allow the disturbances mentioned above to flourish.