HAMPTON, Va. — The City of Hampton approved new regulations Wednesday night for short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO to ensure neighborhoods maintain character.
The Hampton City Council passed the plan unanimously.
Under the plan, the city will establish zoned districts allowing only 1% of residences in each zone to be used as a short-term rental. It would also require rentals to be 500 feet apart.
"This density cap aims to maintain the character of our neighborhoods while accommodating the growing demand for short-term lodging," according to the city's website.
Additionally, approved short-term rentals would need to include adequate off-street parking, fire safety controls, limits on events and the size of the rental party.
The plan also proposes introducing a more streamlined and less costly process permit applications, which would be "approved administratively if they meet requirements — until the caps were reached in the zone," according to a release.
Under this plan, officials say existing businesses could still operate even if it exceeds the zone's cap. However, owners would be required to submit a new application to receive approval.
The Planning Commission had previously passed the measure, with one dissent. During those discussions, however, some commissioners asked that some aspects of the plan be relaxed.
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