Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to the East End Beacon’s recent coverage of Southold Town’s proposed short-term rental code. Although the proposal remains in the discussion stage, the town should carefully consider its economic consequences and pursue a balanced policy that addresses legitimate neighborhood concerns without unfairly penalizing responsible property owners.
The North Fork is already an established year-round tourist destination. Pumpkin and apple picking, wineries, farm stands, beaches, restaurants, and Christmas tree farms attract visitors throughout the seasons. These visitors bring substantial revenue into the community, supporting locally owned businesses and the North Fork residents who depend on them for their livelihoods.
The area is composed of approximately 60 percent year-round residents, with the remaining 40 percent consisting of second homeowners and rental properties. The region’s housing-affordability problem is real, but restricting lawful short-term rentals will not make North Fork homes affordable to middle-class families. Housing prices are driven by broader market forces, and eliminating or sharply limiting short-term rentals would not guarantee that affected properties become affordable year-round housing.
Instead of adopting an overly restrictive code, Southold Town should establish a practical permit system that protects neighborhoods while preserving an important source of local economic activity. Current permit holders should be grandfathered into an annual permit program, with the total number of permits capped at the existing level. When permits become available, they could be offered through a waiting list rather than allowing unlimited expansion.
Southold Town currently has approximately 1,535 active rental permits. At an annual fee of $600 per permit, the program could generate approximately $921,000 in gross revenue every year. That revenue should be dedicated to fully funding two enforcement positions and one grant position.
The grant-development position could identify funding opportunities, prepare applications, and ensure that critical deadlines are not missed. The town’s reported failure to meet the deadline for a $900,000 grant to improve Cochran Park, attributed to insufficient staffing and resources, demonstrates how costly understaffing can be. Missing even one major grant opportunity may cost taxpayers more than the annual salaries of the employees who could have secured it.
Dedicated enforcement officers could investigate complaints, identify unpermitted rentals, and address excessive noise, garbage, parking, and occupancy violations. A clearly defined three-strike policy could suspend or revoke the permits of owners who repeatedly violate the rules. This would hold irresponsible operators accountable without punishing property owners who follow the law and respect their neighbors.
After funding these three positions and the reasonable administrative costs of the permit program, the town could potentially retain a meaningful surplus. That additional revenue could help preserve other municipal positions that might otherwise be at risk, protecting both town employees and the essential services residents rely upon.
Southold Town does not have to choose between protecting residential neighborhoods and supporting the local economy. A capped permit system, dedicated staffing, meaningful enforcement, and firm penalties for repeat violations would address the actual problems associated with short-term rentals while respecting responsible property owners and supporting local businesses.
Regulation should target misconduct, not eliminate responsible rentals. This balanced approach would be more practical, enforceable, and financially beneficial to the entire Southold Town community, than broad restrictions.
When Southold Town revisits this proposal, I hope it recognizes that this is the better path forward for the majority of people who call Southold Town home.
Sincerely,
Joseph Sedotto
Mattituck Resident
Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@eastendbeacon.com with “LTE” in the subject line, or sent via U.S. Post to P.O. Box 665, New Suffolk, NY 11956. Please include your name, and a telephone number for verification purposes, and don’t submit letters under false names. The Beacon will print all letters that are deemed to not be defamatory, obscene or advertisements, and may edit submissions for clarity and grammar. Due to space considerations we are only able to print one letter per writer per month, and we may shorten lengthy letters in print to fit available space.
