The new hampshire town banning short-term rentals is causing a massive tourist backlash: Here's what’s happening.
- A small town in new hampshire, Jackson, has become the first in the state to ban new short-term rentals (like Airbnb and Vrbo) in residential zones, sparking a fierce debate between locals and vacationers.
- The new ordinance, passed by a narrow town vote, aims to preserve affordable housing for year-round residents, who say they are being pushed out by skyrocketing rental prices driven by tourists.
- The ban applies only to newly permitted properties; existing short-term rentals are grandfathered in but cannot be transferred or sold, effectively phasing them out over time.
- Tourism-dependent businesses, from ski lodges to restaurants, are outraged, warning that the move could slash visitor numbers and devastate the local economy, especially during peak seasons.
- Legal challenges are brewing, with property owners arguing the ban violates state property rights laws, and nearby towns watching closely as a potential test case for similar new hampshire restrictions.