Printed using recycled fiber
Middleburg’s Community Newspaper Volume 13 Issue 6
B E L O CA L BUY LOCAL
Y OP LOCALL ITY AND SH R COMMUN OU T OR PP SU
www.mbecc.com
Clays For Hope, Hops For Hope
Benefits National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
Catesby Farm Page 5 Events Center Opposition Builds
October 20 ~ November 17, 2016
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New Rules for Rentals Middleburg Town Council Report
F
Dan Morrow
Photo by Liz Caller ~ Featuring Devon Zebrovious
w w w. fa c eb o ok . c o m / M i ddl eb ur g E c c en t r i c
Continued page 19
Request in homes by Thursday 10/20/16
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PRST STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID DULLES, VA PERMIT NO 723
Top filmmakers, talent and industry leaders Meet in Virginia Hunt Country to showcase and examine evolving trends
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Middleburg Film Festival Opens Sensational Season
ollowing months of discussion, on October 13, Middleburg Town Council adopted formal rules and regulations governing what’s commonly referred to as the “Airbnb” phenomenon, or more accurately, “short term rentals” of residential properties in Middleburg of “fewer than 30 consecutive days” duration. The legislation was driven by often expressed concerns about Airbnb rentals that have been occurring in Middleburg for some time according to Town Planner and Zoning Administrator Will Moore. At issue were also the details of how Salamander Development will provide professional short term rental administration and property management services for owners of new residences planned for construction on its property on the north side of Middleburg. With the General Assembly in Richmond moving unsuccessfully to pass legislation governing both control and taxation of such rentals and prominent U.S. Senators calling for FTC probes of “whether short-term rental websites such as Airbnb are taking housing away from long-term renters and pushing up prices” Council’s actions, which began as early as its October 2015 work session, have been praised as both prescient and timely. Key Rules in Brief Who can rent? A room or space may be rented out for no more than a total of 30 consecutive days: 1. ONLY if it is part of a building primarily used as a residence; 2. ONLY if any applicable state and local taxes are collected and reported on the rental; and 3. The rental does NOT include group occupancies, defined as “simultaneous occupancy by more than one party under separate contracts.” Where can such rentals take place? ONLY in properties located in R-1, R-2, or R-3 zoning districts, and ONLY if the owners of those properties have obtained a Special Use Permit from the Town Government. Each permit will take into consideration the rental’s “potential impacts on surrounding properties and the community as a whole.” What other standards and requirements must be met? A written, formal, property management plan must accompany any and all requests for a rental permit. Among other things it must include: a 24-houra-day means of contacting the property owner or manager, who themselves must stay within 20 miles of Middleburg for the course of the rental; “how-to” instructions for booking and managing rentals; procedures for collecting and reporting fees and taxes; floor plans; contacts for emergency repairs; and access, upon request, for the Town’s zoning administrator or staff to conduct inspections.