Stonington is one of the top shoreline destinations to go to in Connecticut, especially during the summer months.
Which is why a lot of people rent out their homes on Airbnb or VRBO. But technically, that's illegal to do in town.
Those who own these properties said it's a good source of income since Stonington is a tourist town.
"Short-term rentals have been happening in this area for a very long time," said Angela of Voluntown.
Angela quit her corporate job to run her four Airbnb rentals. She said she makes a comparable income.
One of those rentals is in Stonington. But Airbnb and VRBO rentals are illegal in the town.
"It's ridiculous," Angela said. "Stonington has been a total tourist area for a long, long time and Airbnb is no different than any other short-term rental."
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Stonington's Planning Department has gotten a handful of complaints about the Airbnb and VRBO rentals. In one complaint, a couple said there are strangers living next-door every week. They claim a neighbor of renting out six bedrooms that sleeps 16 people for $560 a night.
Airbnb takes an occupancy tax on every listing, said Angela, plus she pays for fire inspections and is taxed on what she earns on her rentals. So she said she feels like she's giving the state of Connecticut its fair share of money
Jason Vincent, the director of planning of the Town of Stonington said the people who rent their properties on Airbnb and VRBO don't need to go through the hoops nor shell out the same costs that local bed-and-breakfasts and inns need to.
"Thinking about the sharing economy, looking at what Uber is doing, maybe there's more Stonington can be doing knowing that we are a tourist destination," Vincent said.
The town is not actively seeking rental properties out for violations, Vincent said, but if a complaint is filed, they'll investigate and issue a notice of zoning violation.
This November Stonington's Economic Development Commission released a study on these short term rentals.
On one hand, the study states, "Concerns include a risk of loss of neighborhood character resulting from frequent strangers unfamiliar with neighborhood norms, increased traffic, availability of parking spaces and noise."
But, the study also states that the rentals offer full kitchens, laundry rooms and other features many hotels do not.
Stonington will further review the issue.
