GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - The Great Barrington select board is discussing a proposed by-law to restrict short-term rentals such as Airbnb’s. The goal is to prevent outsiders from coming in and buying up the town’s limited available housing to use primarily as short-term rental units.

“With the proliferation of short-term rentals creating this monetary incentive to shift the use of housing from long-term residential use to transient use, this really put pressure on housing prices to increase,” said Leigh Davis, vice chair of the select board. 

What You Need To Know

  • Great Barrington is considering a bylaw restricting short-term rentals in town
  • There is discussion about whether full-time and part-time residents should be able to rent the same number of properties
  • Supporters say the restrictions will prevent outside investors from buying up the town’s limited available housing
  • Opponents say they rely on income from short-term rentals and wouldn’t be able to make as much under the restrictions

Under the bylaw, full-time residents could rent out two separate properties, as long as one is their primary residence. Part-time residents could only rent out one property.

Some board members took issue with the difference, saying it needlessly divides the community. However, nothing is set in stone.

“That could be shifted,” said Davis. “We might make that something that’s equal for both part-time residents and full-time residents, but at the same time deterring investors.”

Callers to the select board meeting this week were split over the restrictions. Those who support them said they’re worried about people getting pushed out of town.

“It’s just not acceptable,” said James Manning, a Great Barrington resident. “And removing or replacing long-term rentals with short-term rentals leaves the town of Great Barrington starving for a workforce.”

However, several residents who rent their properties using hosts like Airbnb say they’re opposed to bylaw because it would limit short-term rentals to 90 days per year.

“It’s very helpful for me personally to be able to have this additional income,” said Johanna Wise, who rents out one of her properties as a short-term rental. “Limiting it to 90 days for me would be completely useless. What am I going to do the rest of the year?”

The board will continue discussion of the proposal at its next meeting on Monday. If the board votes to recommend the bylaw, it would still have to be approved at Town Meeting this summer.