Here we go again! Vote NO on Articles 2 and 3, Rockport’s second attempt to permanently restrict our property rights.

Article 3’s rental unit ordinance is a rerun of the excessive eight page “STR” ordinance that Rockport voters overwhelmingly rejected in 2021. A few Select Board members engineered both proposed ordinances. They just can’t stop trying to impose the “nanny state” regulations that many of us moved to Maine to escape. 

Most Rockport residents — native Mainers or from “away”, Democrats or Republicans, Red Sox or Yankee fans — strongly value their property rights, privacy and pocketbooks. 

Once again, they are attempting to make homeowners’ summer rentals a “commercial” use.

Buried deep in Article 2, this would permanently restrict Rockport homeowners’ property rights (proposed amendment to Sec.917.C).

It also would subject homeowners to a personal property tax for their “business”. (Town Website, Assessor’s page).

If your kids inherit your home, they might need to rent it to cover their property taxes. If you plan to sell, the same is true of future buyers. Our homes are our biggest financial assets. Hands off!

Article 3 also unfairly equates our private homes and small multi-units to hotels and motels. How many residential rentals have numerous guest rooms, large parking lots, on-site restaurants and/or outdoor pools, and multiple employees?

Once again, they are trying to subject homeowners to additional inspections, costly annual rental registrations (Camden’s are $350-$1,000), multiple fines and draconian penalties.

Contrary to the 2026 Comprehensive Plan, these regulations will make year-round workforce housing more expensive not less, because landlords will pass these costs onto tenants.

Article 3 would duplicate existing regulations like Sec. 604, “Inspection of Rental Properties”, and require homeowners to produce information the Town already has on file. Sec. 818 (B) (b). It even dictates how often homeowners must take out their trash! This intrusive and unnecessary bureaucratic oversight would increase staff costs, as new Select Board members Linda Greenlaw and Samantha Appleton have pointed out. (“Midcoast Villager”, 5/29/26)

Protect your property rights, privacy, and pocketbook. Once again, Vote NO on Articles 2 and 3! Thank you.

Clare Tully lives in Rockport