Dear Rockport Voters: Based on my experience in Camden over the last few years, Rockport town government will likely use similar tactics to push forward proposed Article 3 (Rental Registration Ordinance) by creating a false narrative that short term rentals are somehow dangerous and require safety inspections; are commercial in nature and require special taxation and fees; don’t contribute to the “neighborhood character” (whatever that means); and limit availability and affordability of housing stock. 

All these arguments are completely unsupported by the data and evidence.  We have a housing crisis but a frivolous permit process is not the solution — building more housing units of all types is the only way.

In a nutshell, short term rental (STR) regulations in Camden are simply a means for the municipality to make a quick buck and further fleece its taxpayers for an unnecessary and unwanted “service.”  

In my experience in Camden, there is zero follow-up regarding so called “safety inspections” and there is certainly no quantifiable improvement of any housing availability or affordability metric.  And what a colossal waste of time and effort at the code office and such an unfortunate distraction from actually doing something meaningful to address the complex housing issues our towns both face.

In Camden there has been an effort to differentiate between fulltime residents/taxpayers and those who are seasonal or part-time.  Irrationally, this provides the town with a means to charge higher fees (AKA taxes) to non fulltime residents over their local counterparts for the exact same worthless STR permit process which is just patently discriminatory.  

Bottom line is that all taxpayers (full and seasonal) are assessed unnecessary fees for bogus inspections and a “permit” that offers absolutely no value for the property owner. And Rockport’s Article 3 proposal would seek to regulate all rentals whether short or long term along with a host of other unnecessary nonsense.  It’s all just a means to make the town some extra cash.

Good luck Rockport and don’t get tricked like Camden.  Stay vigilant and definitely say a big fat “No” to Article 3.

Alex Cohen lives in Camden