Beverly Short-Term Rental Policies Go Under Microscope

BEVERLY, MA — The Beverly City Council is seeking property owners and tenants to join a Special Committee on rental policies in the city as it seeks to re-examine the ban on short-term rentals based on need and effective enforcement.

Currently, only licensed lodging houses are able to provide short-term rentals. But last month, City Councilor Danielle Spang sought clarification on the ban, given that Beverly rentals are widely advertised on AirBnB, VRBO and similar sites.

• Beverly Ban To Be Reviewed After Being Deemed 'Difficult To Enforce'

She pushed for the formation of the special committee that would consider whether to ease the rules to provide the option to residents looking to increase their income and to visitors to the city as a means of economic activity, or whether to take steps to solidify the ban that is already in place.

"The policy has been very difficult to enforce," Spang told the Council.

Five tenants and property owners are sought for the committee that will meet once in late May and a handful of times throughout the summer. Ir would be a commitment to three or four one-hour-long focused meetings, with the goal of providing its recommendations back to the City Council in the fall.

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Those interested in serving on this Committee should send an email or letter of interest to City Council President Julie Flowers and include their name, address, phone number, email (or other best contact information), as well as a brief overview, in writing, outlining why they are interested in serving.

Letters of interest should be sent to the City Clerk’s Office (lkent@beverlyma.gov or first floor, City Hall, 191 Cabot Street). Letters of interest should be received by May 28.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)