Selectmen review New Durham short-term rental implementation: permits, inspections and penalties outlined
August 27, 2026 | New Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire
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Committee member (Speaker 2) presented the Town of New Durham short-term rental ordinance (edited 01/06/2026) and walked the board through implementation details the selectmen must adopt, including permit, enforcement and inspection procedures.
Speaker 2 summarized the ordinance purpose: "to allow a limited short term rental use in a residential period while protecting the health and safety of the residents, their guests, community," and said stays of less than seven days are prohibited and allowed rental periods are seven to 30 days. He explained an annual business permit would be required for existing and new short-term rentals, the permit would expire after one year and would not be transferable to a new owner.
On enforcement, Speaker 2 described a graduated process: a warning letter and at least 14 days to cure a first violation, an in-person meeting with the building inspector, and a third uncured violation resulting in a $250-per-day penalty and suspension of the business permit for the remainder of the annual term plus 12 months. The building inspector will conduct site visits, and members agreed the standards should explicitly include the health officer and fire chief as reviewers. The board asked staff to research permit-fee templates and software used by other towns to manage applications and tracking, and Speaker 2 offered to present fee and application options at a later meeting.
Members thanked the planning and advisory committees for extensive research and agreed to work with town counsel on grandfathering criteria and process so existing operators can document prior use.
Speaker 2 summarized the ordinance purpose: "to allow a limited short term rental use in a residential period while protecting the health and safety of the residents, their guests, community," and said stays of less than seven days are prohibited and allowed rental periods are seven to 30 days. He explained an annual business permit would be required for existing and new short-term rentals, the permit would expire after one year and would not be transferable to a new owner.
On enforcement, Speaker 2 described a graduated process: a warning letter and at least 14 days to cure a first violation, an in-person meeting with the building inspector, and a third uncured violation resulting in a $250-per-day penalty and suspension of the business permit for the remainder of the annual term plus 12 months. The building inspector will conduct site visits, and members agreed the standards should explicitly include the health officer and fire chief as reviewers. The board asked staff to research permit-fee templates and software used by other towns to manage applications and tracking, and Speaker 2 offered to present fee and application options at a later meeting.
Members thanked the planning and advisory committees for extensive research and agreed to work with town counsel on grandfathering criteria and process so existing operators can document prior use.
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