Restrict Short-Term Rentals

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The proliferation of over a thousand short-term rentals on Martha’s Vineyard the past three years has created the major impact on the shortage of seasonal or annual affordable rental housing.

Limit short-term rentals to Island resident owners only and/or at homes where the owner lives on site during rental periods. Short-term rentals are businesses in residentially zoned areas. All Martha’s Vineyard towns should enforce respective zoning laws/regulations and stop the madness now.

Towns should also provide tax incentives to property owners to provide affordable rents to Island employees. Short-term rentals created this problem — save our local neighborhoods from this invasion now. And also, support the proposed housing bank.

Frederick Rundlet

Vineyard Haven