Commission hears short-term rental data; about 44–45 listings identified in Groton

A commissioner who compiled data from Airbnb and VRBO told the commission the packet listed about 44 short-term rental listings in Groton and that the numbers are concentrated in Groton Bank, Eastern Point and Jupiter Point.

“There's about 45,” the commissioner said, explaining she pulled listings from the platforms and that the number could be higher if other sites were checked. Commissioners discussed approaches other towns have taken — some use ordinances and taxation, others rely on zoning regulations — and noted there has been recent litigation in other municipalities and a housing bill that passed the state senate but did not reach the governor’s desk. Staff recommended using the materials as a starting point and returning with a more formal proposal at a future meeting if the commission wanted to pursue regulatory changes.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify whether short-term rentals already exist in the city (the presenter said yes and pointed to a spreadsheet in the packet) and discussed how any regulation might intersect with the city's affordable housing initiatives. No formal action was taken; commissioners asked staff to return with more research and legal context in a future meeting.