I am writing to support these bills to allow us to continue to do short term rentals in Virginia Beach. Thank you so much. Julie Peters 112 53rd St

Since govts need to be watched, this is exactly what we need.

HB1473 DEl. My name is Christopher Miller, and I am President of the Piedmont Environmental Council. Del. Fowler bill seeks to streamline the notice requirements for plans, zoning, and other actions. PEC supports improving the notice process to assist citizens ability to participate and agrees that notices can be be simplified and reference materials available online from local government and in writing at easily accessible locations. But the bill proposes to eliminate existing requirements for notice and hearing for actions that would increase density beyond what has been previously noticed, striking the following: "In the case of a proposed amendment to the zoning map, the public notice shall state the general usage and density range of the proposed amendment and the general usage and density range, if any, set forth in the applicable part of the comprehensive plan. However, no land may be zoned to a more intensive use classification than was contained in the public notice without an additional public hearing after notice required by §15.2-2204." We oppose this part of the bill and would respectfully request that the patron eliminate this provision. Increases in density impose significant impacts on neighbors and communities and should require additional opportunity for comment.

Comments Document

The City of Falls Church is a firm supportive of transparent and accessible public meetings. The City has long live streamed via website and PEB Cable station the Council, Planning Commission and School Board meetings. These meetings are also archived. The City is however concerned with the language of this bill to mandate this requirement without providing state funding to cover the cost to execute this requirement for localities, the AV equipment and staffing can be a heavy burden. Additionally, we are concerned with the unclear definition of public meeting..... is this just intended for the business meetings or every open public meeting that is a gathering of elected officials such as ribbon cutting, community celebrations or dedications? This Council adopted legislative program (attached) includes positions retaining local authority, opposing unfunded mandates and supporting open-virtual- accessible meetings. Please feel free to contact me at cmester@fallschurchva.gov if you have any questions or required additional information. Thank you.

I am writing to support these bills to allow us to continue to do short term rentals in Virginia Beach. Thank you so much. Julie Peters 112 53rd St

Supporting this bill makes sense for Portsmouth, which has a population that includes 5,041 Hispanic and nearly 2,000 AAPI residents according to the latest census. Ensuring that information is readily available for a diverse population is so important and that includes making information available for individuals at differing levels of literacy. Voicing support on behalf of Libraries. Please Support!

Members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns, I oppose HB 2271 on Short Term Rentals as I wrote to you last week, as does our North Virginia Beach Civic League. On Monday of this week, the Senate Local Government Committee passed by indefinitely SB 1392, which is identical to HB 2271. In doing so, the motion included a request to the Housing Commission for a study and recommendations on how to proceed on legislation regarding short-term rentals. Senator Mamie Locke, Vice Chair of the Housing Commission, was present at that meeting, and she welcomed this request. I therefore urge you to also pass by indefinitely HB 2271 with a similar request for study by the Housing Commission, and to consider their recommendations before acting on HB 2271 or other bills that would restrict the ability of localities to regulate short-term rentals. Thank you, Jayna Eller Voter in Virginia Beach Board Member, North Va Beach Civic League (757) 773-1250

I STRONGLY OPPOSE HB 2271. This past Monday the Senate Local Government Committee passed by indefinitely SB 1392, an identical bill. The bill was referred to the Housing Commission for a study and suggestions on how to proceed on legislation regarding short term rentals. I respectfully request that this body do the same - both to be consistent and to help ensure that the proposed legislation does not have adverse unintended consequences on your constituents. In the area where I live short term rentals are a big problem and the vast majority of citizens want their local government to be able to regulate them. Nothing prohibits a person from renting their property - but operating an STR on a nightly basis will turn residential neighborhoods into areas with family residences with nightly commercial rental hotels/motels right next door. They really do have the power to destroy the sense of community that a neighborhood provides.

The City of Portsmouth strongly opposes this bill! Unfortunately, an unregulated or unenforced Short Term Rental market in communities can bring more negatives than positive, without effective tracking and regulations around occupancy, the risk of irresponsible renters increases, cities that mirror ours and government roles should be in accord and able to manage Short Term Rentals for negative impacts while maximizing their benefits. With the control of this decision the Governing body also has a responsibility to create an even playing field between traditional lodging providers and Short term rental through fair permitting and licensing regulations, but localities will also be on the tail end of that and be the ones answering tough questions from those concerned about compliance and monitoring, this needs a very real and thorough look at before giving it a Okay. Please oppose...

I oppose this bill. We experienced an incident in our neighborhood with a short-term rental when a two-day party that ended in guns being fired into our neighbors’ houses and cars. The party continued for two nights and the police responded to calls both nights but were overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and were unable to shut down the party. There were people dancing on top of the police cars. There were cars parked on our lawn, cars blocking our driveways and cars in the street. There were people relieving themselves on our front lawns. The police had no ability to contact the homeowner. The home was owned by a real estate trust. Many of the homes involved in these short-term rentals are owned by real-estate trusts that are managed by local real estate companies that are not responsive or even open at night. This incident made the news locally and was shared on the internet nationally, which was not good for tourism either as it made the area seem unsafe given the shooting. The local regulations that were passed by the city were the result of many meetings that myself and other residents attended to adopt common-sense regulations like requiring the owner of the home to provide a phone number for contacting them and someone to respond to emergencies within a set time period. We purchased our home in an area that is zoned for residential use, not to run a business, but that is what short-term rentals are. They charge people to stay in the home, and the people staying in the home were charging others to attend the party. It is definitely a commercial activity. They do not have security, like a hotel, to remove unruly guests or make people adhere to noise restrictions. We have an existing local zoning process for special use permits for short-term rentals that allows the city zoning people to ensure that there is adequate parking and limits on how many people can stay in the home and requires contact information for the owners and limits the number of STRs to prevent our residential zoned neighborhoods from becoming a commercial area. Also, the permit can be revoked if there are violations. Other states, including Florida, that are very tourist friendly, also regulate short-term rentals. Taking away the ability of localities to regulate this zoning and commercial activity can result in mayhem in our residential neighborhoods. The police are not equipped to respond to the massive parties that are being organized at these homes in our neighborhoods. Even the ones that are run by online companies are not responsive to calls from neighbors and even deny that they are involved when you can even when the home is listed on their website in my personal experience. If the government chooses to take away the ability to regulate these activities then they are going to open themselves up to potential liability for these activities. We are lucky that none of the bullets killed anyone. We lost the right to quiet enjoyment of our property during this time period. I strongly urge you to allow for local regulation to control this activity that allows consideration of the ability to prevent damage to persons and property and to control it if it does happen. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

as a resident of Virginia Beach in particular, the north end, I strongly suggest house bill 2271 should be declined and not passed at all. I have a short term rental on my block, and though it has been watched by the house owner very well, I feel the opportunity for developers and others to desecrate the properties if the bill is passed. Please do not pass this bill.

Dear Delegates, I’m writing in regard to HB2271. I am a resident of a neighborhood in Virginia Beach where there are many summer and other short-term rentals. Prior to the City of Virginia creating restrictions on such rentals, we had a lot of problems with short-term renters who were troublesome to neighbors because of noise, trash and insufficient parking for the number of people using the rental at any one time. Since the City of Virginia Beach enacted rules regarding short-term rentals in the resort area, the only problems we have had are with properties that are being managed by professional real estate property managers, who continue to ignore the impact of their tenants on their neighbors in terms of noise, trash and insufficient parking for the number of people using the rental. In short, it is the professional managers who are the problem. They DO NOT deserve an exemption from the municipal rules that HB2271 would give them. I would not ask this of you were they to behave in a more professional manner. But they don’t. Thank you for your consideration. Christopher Bonney 219 53rd Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451 chris@bonneyresearch.com

Dear Members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns: I OPPOSE HB2271 which greatly reduces the ability of local governments to regulate Short Term Rentals. Earlier this week, the Senate Local Government Committee passed by indefinitely SB1392, which is identical to HB2271. In doing so, the motion included a request to the Housing Commission for a study and requested recommendations on how to proceed on legislation regarding short-term rentals. Senator Mamie Locke, Vice Chair of the Housing Commission, was present at that meeting, and she welcomed this request. There are a number of unstudied adverse consequences that will likely occur if this bill advances (i.e., effect on housing affordability and availability in certain areas is just one of them). Since this bill as proposed allows for nightly rentals, increases in crime can be expected as has been documented in other communities. I therefore urge you to also pass by indefinitely HB2271 with a similar request for study by the Housing Commission, and to consider their recommendations before acting on HB2271 or other bills that would restrict the ability of localities to regulate short-term rentals. I would like to note that I also submitted a comment opposing this bill last week prior to the Senate hearing and the continuance of this hearing. Thank you.

I am a North End resident and STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill. I own three rental properties in the North End, none of which are STR's. No one I talk with wants STR's in our neighborhood. STR's bring no value to our neighborhood. Primarily for these reasons...Disruption, partying, drug use, and bad behavior. Also we do not have adequate parking for people who live here, plus STR's, plus people who drive to the beach for the day. I don't understand why the peaceful enjoyment of our neighborhood should be destroyed just for the financial gain of others. Isn't it time to uplift and take care of our neighborhoods? By the way...there is plenty of money to make with rentals with a lease of 30 days or longer!!!

In SUPPORT of NVBCL Letter to OPPOSE HB 2271 and its companion SB 1391 bill Section D of HB 2271 specifically prefers Virginia realtors over all other operators. This PREFERENCE CONSTITUTES UNJUST ENRICHMENT. . Section D allows Virginia realtors to unilaterally exempt themselves from local ordinances put in place due to STR issues and local violations, both civil and criminal, that affect the quality of life and the safety of taxpayers near the Virginia realtor STR(s). No single segment of the STR marketplace should ever have the power and authority to self-regulate. In addition to the attached letter from the NVBCL, I oppose HB 2271 and SB1391 for the reasons stated below and require the following: HB 2271, a BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-983 of the Code of Virginia, the proposed Section D must be removed from consideration. Section D violates Title 18 United States Code §§241. 242. Section D is a Tucker Act violation as the State Assembly is creating a contract specifically with Virginia realtors over all other operators who might otherwise offer lower bids for the special privileges provided by Section D, if such open bidding was not completely obviated by these proposed changes. Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Gail H. Mottola 115 88th Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-515-3449

PLEASE PASS BY THIS BILL INDEFINITELY OR OTHERWISE DO NOT ADVANCE IT. On Monday 1/30, the Senate Local Government Committee passed by indefinitely SB1392, which is identical to HB2271. In doing so, the motion included a request to the Housing Commission for a study and recommendations on how to proceed on legislation regarding short-term rentals. Senator Mamie Locke, Vice Chair of the Housing Commission, was present at that meeting, and she welcomed this request. Comments on HB2271 are currently running more than 5 to 1 against advancing it. I urge you to also pass by indefinitely HB2271, and to consider recommendations from the Housing Commission before acting on HB2271 or other bills that would restrict the ability of localities to regulate short-term rentals. Thank you

Subject: Vote NO HB2271 Dear Members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, Please vote NO on house bill HB2271 coming before you tomorrow. We have been residents of the North End of Virginia Beach for over 25 years. On our street we have young families, teenagers, Millennials, Baby Boomers and my 97 year old mother who hands out cookies to the kids as they get off the school bus. The old oak trees lining our street with a beautiful canopy create a lovely environment for kids to play and adults to socialize. It is a safe and special place to live. Please do not pass this Bill that would open the door to one night short term rentals. We worked very hard with our local government to come up with an overlay plan that residents and real estate investors could live with. Please no not override the hard work of our local community. I grew up in Ft Lauderdale FL and have seen the impact that single night rentals has on a neighborhood. Once vibrant family communities have become lifeless (and treeless) with oversized buildings and inadequate parking. There are no full time residents to support local businesses, to send their kids to local schools, to love and maintain their properties, and to be good respectful neighbors. Please vote against this bill. Would you like to live next to an Air BNB? Sincerely, Jane Short 208 75th St Virginia Beach, VA 23451

I am writing to OPPOSE HB2271 which carves out a special exception for LLC's to evade the local laws for governing short term rentals. This creates a situation which discriminates against local homeowners who properly operate short term rentals and comply with local ordinances. Worst of all it allows certain owners to evade those ordinances deemed necessary which were set up by local governments to control short term rentals. Perhaps you are unaware that short term rental properties can have very negative effects on adjacent homeowners and property values in addition to decreasing the supply of affordable housing.

As a 35-year resident and homeowner in the “North End” of Virginia Beach, I STRONGLY OPPOSE HB 2271 and any other legislation that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs). Decisions regarding the legislation of STR ordinances is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Please leave it to the localities and their residents to decide what is best for their neighborhoods. Cities across the country and around the world are enacting legislation to limit and control the growth of STRs and the negative impacts they have on housing availability, affordability and the quality of life for the year-round residents. We have worked hard with the City of Virginia Beach to enact zoning ordinances that protect the residential character of our neighborhoods against the scourge of STRs. Please help us protect our neighborhoods and quality of life. REJECT HB 2271

I understand the House will take up its version of HB2271 this Thursday. I am writing to OPPOSE HB2271 I am a resident at 4910 Oceanfront Avenue on the South side of the beach access in Virginia Beach and have resided at this location for the last (23) years. Over the last (23) years our residential neighborhood has already experienced extreme density that has slowly deteriorated the quaint neighborhood feeling that makes the residential North End unique. Accordingly, I am extremely opposed to HB2271. This proposal would further exacerbate the extreme parking shortage we currently experience in the summer months and potentially increase noise, trash and safety concerns. We welcome and encourage visiting families renting cottages annually to our beautiful public beach but feel that this bill will only increase the short term rentals already exceeding ten percent and sends the wrong message that will only motivate commercial operators to further deteriorate our neighborhood. Our neighborhood should not be allowed to become a commercial hotel area by allowing additional increases in VRBO, AirBnB and other rental models that will be detrimental to what's left of the character of our residential neighborhood. I urge the House Committee to drop this HB2271 bill that will only increase and motivate additional speculative short terms rentals in the residential North End. Thank you in advance for allowing me the opportunity to express my opinion on this issue. T. Evan Williams

Please Oppose HB2271. STRs have caused a loss of enjoyment of our homes and neighborhoods. To allow the businesses that are profiting from the STRs be exempt from local ordinances is absurd. It would cause a free for all. Virginia Realty companies have never been responsive to STR issues and ignore calls and emails. This bill would only allow them to be less concerned and cause more damage to our neighborhood. We purchased a home in a neighborhood not a business district. We should be able to enjoy our home but are scared to go outside when the STRs are being rented. The new type of STR renter is not the historical hometown respectful family renting for a week. They are party crazed (all hours of the day, lots of different people, no families), dangerous (guns & drugs), and irresponsible. I request that you oppose HB2271.

I am opposed to this bill for several key reasons. First, the city of Virginia Beach has spent an extraordinary amount of time reviewing this issue and acted acccordingly with a fair compromise allowing Short Term Rentals in numbers so as not to destroy residential streets, and with proper enforcement of public local laws pertaining to trash, noise, occupation numbers, etc. Local laws and enforcement of such should remain local; each community is different, there is not a one size to fit all communities. Secondly, I continue to remind all that this is commercial enterprise encroaching on residential streets and neighborhoods. No one who bought their homes anticipated the influx of commercial business on their residential streets, but it has come, and in all fairness, is allowed to the point that is fair for both sides at present in Virginia Beach. Participation to a point, however maintaining the character of streets to be residential, its original design and purpose. I sincerely request your vote to allow local governments to decide for their own localities, which we have done, and also continue to urge the ability of residential dwellers to continue to anticipate streets designated as such will remain in place for the continued future. Thank you.

Regarding HB2271 - Please do not vote for this misguided bill. The only ones to benefit from this are the realty companies to the detriment of everyone else. Why would the Commonwealth interfere with the regulations that have been painstakingly passed after years of input and compromise from its citizens? It doesn’t make sense for a statewide regulation on STRs when each locality is better equipped to regulate these according to their citizens desires. The only explanation would be that you are doing the bidding of the Realtors Association with total disregard for your constituents. Please prove that you are there to represent the everyday citizen and not the lobbyists by voting no on this bill. Thank you.

I am writing to support these bills to allow us to continue to do short term rentals in Virginia Beach. Thank you so much. Julie Peters 112 53rd St

Dear House Committee Members: First and foremost, we would like to say thank you for all you do in representing the state of Virginia! Our names are Justin Taylor and Daniel Davis, with JD Enterprises VA, LLC. We have a local short-term rental business and have gone through the process of obtaining the required conditional use permit for our properties in the Virginia Beach Overlay District: We have been working diligently since March to ensure that our properties met all of the requirements for short-term rentals in this area. Thankfully, we earned the recommendation of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission and City Council vote last month. We are very passionate about what we do and are very excited to continue to grow with our city of Virginia Beach. Several neighboring businesses including the Java Surf Coffee Shop and others are all also equally excited about how our business and future guests can help benefit the whole area and our community here in the Vibe District as well. We really hope our business can be used as an example for a successful and compliant short-term rental operation here in Virginia Beach. Finally, we wanted to respectfully ask if you would please consider our small business when making decisions on short-term rentals. We believe that it would not be fair to only allow real estate property managers to only operate Short-term Rentals. This will push out small business like ours that is doing everything possible to do the right thing when operating vacation rentals. We can assure you that we will do our very best to maintain all of the guidelines and recommendations outlined by the Planning Commission and to manage our business with excellence. This has been a dream project for us to work on, and we have invested a significant amount of time, energy, and resources to ensure its success. We hope this endeavor will create a win-win opportunity for both our business and the City of Virginia Beach. Thank you for your time and consideration! Warm regards, Daniel Davis, MBA Justin Taylor, MBA

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, on behalf of the VRLTA we urge you to oppose this measure as it creates a special exception to short term rental regulations at the local level. We believe that STRs should all be subject to the same local regulations regardless of who is renting the unit, and that real estate professionals should not be granted special dispensation from these requirements. Thank you for your time and consideration . Best, Robert Melvin Director of Government Affairs Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association

Comments Document

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input as you consider HB 2271. The Town of Cape Charles has a significant number of short-term rental units. These STR’s are an important part of our town and represent a considerable economic impact. So please do not misconstrue any of my comments as being anti-STR’s. Rather, what is extremely concerning to us, is that this bill, if enacted, would decimate a local government’s ability to respond to the unique needs of their citizens. The circumstances, impacts, and benefits surrounding STR’s are distinctly different for each community throughout the Commonwealth. To impose a statewide, one-size-fits-all solution to such a uniquely local issue, is not only a severe disservice to all constituents, but fundamentally erodes the very concept of local self-governance. Further, this specific bill would provide a targeted economic advantage only to licensed realtors, while creating an administrative nightmare for localities who could find themselves having to manage two different sets of STR rules. Short-term rentals are real, and they’re here to stay. The benefits STR’s bring are also real, but so are their inevitable impacts to traditional residential lifestyles and the erosion on the availability of much needed long-term rentals and workforce housing. Nobody in Richmond could understand the delicate interrelation of all these things within a specific community as well as locally elected officials. Please do not strip us of this fundamental responsibility to protect the interests of all our residents and property owners. The Town of Cape Charles therefore implores you to oppose HB 2271 and any other legislation that would restrict local control over the short-term rental industry.

I am a homeowner and resident of Norfolk and I am opposed to HB 2271. The localities should have the right to enact and enforce ordinances regarding STRs. Short term rentals are a local issue that should be addressed locally with input from affected residents and property owners. There should not be a state exemption for properties managed by Virginia realtors. This bill is overreaching and I ask that you oppose it.

To Whom It May Concern The proposed HB2271 regarding short-term rental property appears to be based solely on a "realtor" position and a realtor's desire to obtain additional management work. This proposed bill needs to be pulled and if real and honest short-term rental guidance is sought, then the local entities and people that are impacted need to be at the drafting table for any replacement bill. On the other hand, HB2103 appears totally on point. Jim Casey, President Bay Breeze Point HOA

I am opposed to this bill. I reside in the East Ocean View area of Norfolk which has seen an ongoing increase of short term rentals. One of the very necessary requirements that the city has made mandatory is the provision of paved parking spaces on the property base on the number of bedrooms. Our area is very congested and allowing unrestricted additional parking by short term renters will create an intolerable situation for us. Our Norfolk City government is in the best position to regulate this. This is a matter for local control.

This bill takes away the voices of citizens who are being negatively impacted by strs. By removing city and locality oversight, those who share neighborhoods with strs will be subjected to unrestricted noise issues, lack of parking and a negative impact on home values. No one wants to buy a residential home sandwiched between numerous strs. This bill benefits realtors and comes at the cost of penalizing residents.

Comments Document

My name is Regina Fletcher, and I, and my colleagues are in total support of HB 2271. I am an executive member of the Board of Directors for the Dolphin Run Condominium Association, Inc., one of the most impressive and unique condominiums in the Hampton Roads area. In this capacity, we represent over 200 Virginia Beach homeowners several of whom have rented out their condos to visitors vacationing in our amazing city for almost 50 years. Additionally, since 2001, I have held a license as a Virginia realtor, as well as being licensed in other jurisdictions and have managed both short and long-term rentals in all areas. There is historical precedence in the fact that DOLPHIN RUN is an anomaly; we have openly operated as a Short-Term Rental (STR) facility for almost 50 years and are allowed to do so in the original governing documents of the organization. This fact is well known to the city, community and visitors, as many of our renters have let the city know how much they enjoyed Virginia Beach because of DOLPHIN RUN, and we have been paying both local and state lodging taxes. Currently, more than 50% of the units in the building are rented on a short-or long-term basis and managed by either the staff or by the owner. This arrangement provides a critical means of revenue for the city, state and owner; gives families visiting our city options to stay in an oceanfront environment where they can relax, enjoy the city or watch the dolphins; it supports our owners in the upkeep and maintenance of the condominium; and it provides much needed jobs for city residents. The restrictions placed on our owners by the current local ordinance, that requires them to limit rental contracts from two (2) in a 7-day period to one, as well as the restriction on maximum number of persons to two (2) per bedroom, instead of three (3) has already had a significant negative impact on our ability to rent our units. Our occupancy restrictions were voted on and decided by the owners over 10 years ago and are documented in our Condominium Rules and Regulations. These rules align with state requirements and are closely monitored by our front desk for those in the DOLPHIN RUN in-house program. With the new restrictions currently placed upon us at the local level, a one-bedroom suite can only sleep 2 people. We see no reason to restrict an organization that has successfully managed its short term rental program for 48 years. The DOLPHIN RUN Board joins with other supporters in requesting that these restrictions be removed for those properties managed by in-house realtors, as they not only have a negative impact on Virginia Beach citizens and businesses, but more importantly, on the very people that we are trying to encourage to visit our city. We also humbly request that the state consider DOLPHIN RUN's 50 year period of successfully managing a Short-term-rental facility as a historical precedent in the state and allow us to continue to do so without local restrictions. Thank you for allowing DOLHIN RUN to provide our comments on this new legislation.

Terrible idea - localities should absolutely be the ones to regulate STRs. Localities need to be in control and furthermore, STRs need more, not less regulations/oversight/controls.

Local municipalities should absolutely be able to govern Short Term Rentals and enforce them. Our area, Ocean View in Norfolk, is being taken over by these STR’s and there are so many problems to them. Allowing the City to issue Conditional Use Permits that can be revoked is the best way to ensure these properties are operating as legally as possible. Right now every STR in my area has some type of Code Violation or Conditional Use Permit violation. Not allowing the City to be able to enforce these will lead to more problems than we already have. STR’s being used for crime, locals not being able to find places to live, families being outbid by investors intending to use the home strictly as an STR in neighborhoods that don’t want them. I have one going up right next door to me that I am opposing at City Planning tomorrow. Our City needs to be able to monitor these and enforce these. Without monitoring and enforcement, our neighborhood will fall apart and become a commercial district.

Good morning Sir, I just wanted to bring it to your attention that when I was running my house as a Short term rental, I never had law enforcement come to my property because Short term renters strictly abide by the set rules or will be kicked out immediately. Since I rented my place to long-term renters, I have had law enforcement come to my property twice for various reasons. And I can not just evict them without a lengthy due process. I have since had a rough patch with my neighbors. Please reconsider reinstating STR back in out communities. Thank you!

The current restrictions imposed by the city of Virginia Beach make it almost impossible to have a short term rental. We rely if this income to be able to pay our property taxes and need the income to be able to keep the house we inherited from our parents. The rental market in Virginia Beach is being destroyed by the strict rules being imposed by the city. The revenues that the city receives from the rentals is substantial so I do not understand why they do not want to support the short term rental market.

Virginia Beach made it illegal for me to rent out my house unless it's for at least 30 days. The house next-door was bought by a business which is allowed to STR the house because the person they bought the house from started short-term renting that house a couple years ago. It is unfair that this new owner who doesn't live in the property is allowed to rent their property for less than 30 days while I can't do the same with mine. The hospitality business should not be monopolized by large hotel chains and investors and property rights should apply equally to everyone.

I strongly oppose this bill, HB2271, and request you oppose this bill as well. The negative impact of STR's is severe and wide. Having the misfortune to live next to one, for several years, we've had to endure physical and audible noise pollution and other atrocities. We live in our forever home feeling uncomfortable with STR occupants' behavior and fear for our safety. Respectfully, Nathan Richards

I oppose this bill and would like you to oppose bill.

Please opppose this bill! The City or Portsmouth opposes this bill because: It carves out a special exemption in policy for one particular industry. It underminds local control, and any ordinances already in place dealing with short-term rentals. It also provides for unequal application of the law. Private homeowners will be subject to rules and regulations not applicable to rental management companies.

I am opposed to bills that would give realtors, like Atkinson's Realty, whose spokeperson at the VB Council meetings in favor of unrestricted short-term rentals, was the wife of Attorney General Miyares, the ability to run Short-term rentals which are commercial operations in areas zoned residential. A year ago we experienced an incident in our neighborhood with a short-term rental where a two-day party occurred that ended in guns being fired into our neighbors’ houses and their cars less than one block from our home. The party kept everyone up all night for two nights in a row. The police responded to calls both nights but were overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and were unable to shut down the party. There were people dancing on top of the police cars. There were cars parked on our lawn, cars blocking our driveways and cars in the street. The police had no ability to contact the homeowner. The home was owned by a real estate trust. Many of the homes involved in these short-term rentals are owned by real-estate trusts that are managed by local real estate companies that are not responsive or even open at night, and they don’t employ security forces to protect us against armed partiers. Video of this incident was shared on the widely on the internet. The local regulations that were passed by the city were the result of many meetings that myself and other residents attended to adopt common-sense regulations like requiring the owner of the home to provide a phone number for contacting them and someone to respond to emergencies within a set time period. We purchased our home in an area that is zoned for residential use, not to run a business, but that is what short-term rentals are. They charge people to stay in the home, and the people staying in the home were charging others to attend the party. It is definitely a commercial activity. They do not have security, like a hotel, to remove unruly guests or make people adhere to noise restrictions. We have an existing local zoning process for special use permits for short-term rentals that allows the city zoning people to ensure that there is adequate parking and limits on how many people can stay in the home and requires contact information for the owners and limits the number of STRs to prevent our residential zoned neighborhoods from becoming a commercial area. Also, the permit can be revoked if there are violations. Other states, including Florida, that are very tourist friendly, also regulate short-term rentals. Taking away the ability of localities to regulate this zoning and commercial activity can result in mayhem in our residential neighborhoods. The police are not equipped to respond to the massive parties that are being organized at these homes in our neighborhoods. Even the ones that are run by online companies are not responsive to calls from neighbors and even deny that they are involved when you can even when the home is listed on their website in my personal experience. If the government chooses to take away the ability to regulate these activities, then they are going to open themselves up to potential liability for these activities. We are lucky that none of the bullets killed anyone. We lost the right to quiet enjoyment of our property during this time period. I strongly urge you to allow for local regulation to control this activity that allows consideration of the ability to prevent damage to persons and property and to control it if it does happen.

My husband and I oppose SB1391, HB2271, and HB1362 because these bills would allow increased numbers of STRs, would limit/eliminate regulation of important STR regulations (total occupancy, number/frequency of days rented weekly/yearly , adequate parking), and would override the local zoning laws for residential use With 10% STR rentals in the North End, the ability to increase STR rentals will change our residential neighborhood into a hotel district where parents worry about the safety of playing children, where residents don't know their neighbors, and where there is a constant influx of strangers unfamiliar with traffic patterns on our feeder roads, speed limits, trash pickup, noise ordinances, etc. Also, in areas of unrestricted STR growth, cash purchases by investors and real estate companies result in a low inventory for residents who want to buy a home! Before City Council regulations were passed in September 2021, we experienced illegal parking on residential streets already crowded with locals beach visitors, small STRs overrun with multiple families, turnover of strangers 2-3 times a week, and disruptive parties resulting in our children confined to their homes, gunfire at 3:00 am, and parents picking up beer cans and condoms in our streets...all occurring in the middle of a residential neighborhood where families were attempting to live normal lives! Both STR owners AND managing realtors were unresponsive to our concerns, and overburdened police in our area are increasingly slow to respond! After 3 years of residential input, research, and countless meetings, our City Council determined there was a need to confine future STR growth to hotel districts, where vacationers can party, drink, and "let loose," NOT in residential areas where families live, work, play, and sleep! The City Council approved two areas in Virginia Beach for increased STR rental... Sandbridge District for a less-populated, family vacation area and the Hotel Oceanfront District for a lively atmosphere of beaches, bars, restaurants, and boardwalk activities. Although Senator Lewis's Statement on SB 1391 calls the efforts of our City Council to protect its residents "significant overreach," the taxpaying residents of residential areas disagree by a margin of 20 to 1!!! Our City Council was deliberate and forward-thinking to take a proactive approach to this rapidly changing and expanding industry that is now threatening residential neighborhoods across our nation, many of which are now beginning to limit or prohibit STRs! Why would the Virginia legislature assume they know our locality better than our local representatives? Have our Senators and Representatives completed extensive research on the impact of STRs in our area? Have they spoken directly to the residents of Virginia Beach, our City Council, or our Planning Commission? Or are they simply supporting Realtors who have made significant contributions to their campaign funds, without understanding the ramifications of their actions? Please consider the negative effects of voting for SB1391, GB2271, and HB1362 for the tax paying residents of Virginia Beach! Ultimately, ask yourself if you would want to live in a neighborhood surrounded by inherent problems of STRs? Respectfully, Herman and Brenda McHorney 215B 76th Street, VB 23451

Dear Delegate Morefield; I am strongly opposed to Senate Bill 1391 and HB2271, or any other bills that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short Term Rentals. Virginia Beach spent three years listening to public input with the Planning Commission and City Council to develop rules governing STR. The SB 1391 wants to treat realtors as a special class. No property owner/constituent wants the “hotelization” of their neighborhood. Thank you! Joyce Walsh 218 A 76th Street Virginia Beach, Va. 23451 (757) 641-2561

I have spent my entire career working in real estate up and down the east coast. This experience clearly demonstrates that land use and zoning is always made by the local city/county governments. Why could anyone feel it is appropriate to pass a state wide bill without any input from the locality that is being impacted. This state wide provision may work in some areas but not "everywhere". This should not be passed so that each city can consider the local impact of this right and whether it is the appropriate and prudent thing to do. Please do not blindly approve the short term rental provision on a state wide basis. Respectfully Tony Nero

Please OPPOSE HB 2271. I have not encountered one person in my neighborhood who supports this legislation, even those who are pro-STR. The vast majority of your constituents do not want to have a hotel operating next door to their homes, which is what this legislation allows. Last year, the Senate subcommittee addressing the proposed STR legislation directed that DHCD perform a study to evaluate the impact of the proposed legislation - but for some reason that study was never performed. At a minimum, that study needs to be conducted. No one knows (or even has an educated guess at this point) the consequences and adverse effects that this proposed legislation will have on neighborhoods and communities, the hotel industry, crime, noise, parking, trash, and public safety. This is very impactful legislation that will change the character of many neighborhoods throughout the Commonwealth - the investors (many of whom will be out-of-state) and a few realtors will benefit from this bill, but the the vast majority of your constituents will not. Please do not advance this bill to benefit a few and just hope for the best - the law of unintended consequences is always lurking out there. Respectfully submitted, Jeff Stredler

This state level legislation compels localities to allow STRs and limits local ability to regulate STRs. Multiple petitions in 2021 across the city of Virginia Beach confirmed an overwhelming 20 to 1 opposition to reducing regulation of STRs, mostly due to our local resident experiences with disruptive tenants and unresponsive STR owners. Our neighborhood communities rely on local regulation of land use and businesses. Realtors who manage STRs in our area have a history of being unresponsive to resident complaints. It does not make sense to allow them to manage STRs without complying with local ordinances for zoning, land use planning, and compatible use and operation of businesses in residential neighborhoods.

Oppose HB2271 - I can appreciate the importance of short-term rentals and the benefits to tourism related economies such as on the Eastern Shore and transient occupancy taxes as a revenue stream for local governments, but what I do not understand is why one would sponsor a bill (HB2271/SB1391) that severely restricts the ability of any Virginia local government to control, through ordinance, short-term rentals in their localities that are specifically managed by realtors. What a gift to realtors. It would be interesting to see who actually drafted this bill that the delegate and senator are sponsoring. At the time of this letter writing, this bill has been referred to the Committee on Local Government in the Senate and Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns. Cape Charles has well over 200 STRs in our town and has recognized both good and bad with this growing situation. Our recently updated Cape Charles Comprehensive Plan, as well our town council list of strategic priorities, identify the need to create a SRT ordinance. This bill, if adopted, would eliminate most of the requirements we would expect contained in such a SRT ordinance for those STRs managed by realtors. Having two sets of rules would be a nightmare. Local governments need the ability to impose requirements and limitations to suit their local needs on this subject. This bill needs to be withdrawn in its entirety.

Comments Document

Please see attached file for written comments

I oppose HB2271 and I hope you will also. STRs need more regulation not less. These STR's are nightmares. A for profit STR business should not be allowed in a family neighborhood. They have no one onsite to police them and ensure they are being responsible patrons. I am not involved in this business and it shouldn't be my responsibility to figure out who to call, this uses my time but I am not getting any proceeds from this business. The police don't track a reported incident as an STR problem thus there isn't an accurate picture of the problems they cause. Realtors are only concerned with profits and not the well being of our neighborhood and families. I have first hand experience with 2 STRs that live next door and another one about 3 houses down. One is managed by a Virginia Realty company and they have never returned any calls or emails in regards to the issues that we have with the STR and they are less then 4 tenths of a mile away. These STRs litter, throw beer bottles on our deck, trespass, break glass on the roadway, let off fireworks, cornhole at 2am, a party every night, pee off of balconies, want to start fights when you ask them to be considerate, bring guns, drugs, gun shots and drag racing just to name a few. My life and enjoyment of my property have been reduced due the terrible management that has occurred previously. We were hoping to have some relief from the laws just passed by our local government. The Virginia Realty has been no help in controlling their STR renters as they only care about profits. These STR's cause me to not be able to perform my job as I am tired from being woken up all week and all hours by the STR renters. It also shouldn't be my responsibility or any other homeowners responsibility to report them as we aren't involved in this for profit business. My happiness and enjoyment of my home should not be jeopardized or come second for the benefit of a for profit business with no staff on site in a neighborhood. I request you oppose HB2271. Thank you.

Comments Document

REPOSTED COMMENT WITH CORRECTED ATTACHMENT (please ignore my similar prior comment) The North Virginia Beach Civic League (NVBCL)* Board of Directors continues to urges you to NOT ADVANCE HB2271 that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short-Term Rentals (STRs). Without space here to address every assertion in the 1/24/2023 Statement by Senator Lewis on SB1391 Short-Term Rentals, which is identical to HB2271: The first claim in the Statement is that “It [SB1391] does not allow for open short term rental proliferation.” But this is NOT TRUE because the bill specifically exempts realtors from any local ordinance that "prohibits short-term rentals”. The Statement goes on to say that realtors are worthy of this special exemption because they must follow a specific code of ethics and conduct or risk losing their license. But we confirmed with multiple realtors that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics says NOTHING about realtor accountability for negative impacts on neighbors of the properties that they manage. (see citation in the attached letter). In fact, the NAR Fiduciary Duties OBLIGATES realtors to look after their CLIENTS' best interests, with no defined duty to the neighbors of rental properties that they manage (see citation in the attached letter). So for example, even if a realtor KNOWS that a group seeking to rent an STR intends to a host large party or will otherwise be disruptive to neighbors, the NAR Fiduciary Duties OBLIGATES the realtor to accept the rental if that is in the best interest of the property owner. So this bill attempts to address an ALLEGED overreach by localities with an EVEN GREATER OVERREACH BY THE STATE ON BEHALF OF, AND TO THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF REALTORS. Furthermore, there are still lawsuits pending on STR ordinances in at least one of our state Circuit Courts. When considering another STR bill last Year, Senator DeSteph cited pending lawsuits in the Senate Local Government Committee meeting on 1/31/2022 as the reason to strike his SB602. Those lawsuits are still pending, so HB2271 should not advance for the same reason. Also the Senate Local Government Committee has still not received the "guidelines and framework for moving forward” from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that the Senate committee's motion to strike said that were needed before advancing STR bills. So again, for the same reasons as cited last year, HB2271 should not advance. You DID receive from DHCD on 1/20/2023 from their Commission on Local Government is an updated “Estimate of Local Fiscal Impact” for SB1391 and HB2271, showing that the 15 localities responding to their inquiry reported that “Localities [EACH] estimated negative fiscal impacts ranging from $0 to $0.41 million over the biennium (including both revenue losses and expenditure increases).” Mitigating this impact requires convening ALL stakeholders, not just realtors, and thoughtful balancing of the various competing interests. The consequences of this proposed legislation and its impact on neighborhoods and communities are likely to be irreparable and irreversible. Realtors and STR investors will greatly benefit from this bill, but Virginia localities and most of your constituents will not. The North Virginia Beach Civic League continues to strongly OPPOSE SB1391, HB2271, and HB1362 that would restrict the ability of localities to regulate STRs.

Comments Document

The North Virginia Beach Civic League (NVBCL)* Board of Directors continues to urges you to NOT ADVANCE HB2271 that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short-Term Rentals (STRs). Without addressing every assertion in the 1/24/2023 Statement by Senator Lewis on SB1391 Short-Term Rentals, which is identical to HB2271: The first claim in the Statement is that “It [SB1391] does not allow for open short term rental proliferation.” But this is NOT TRUE because the bill specifically exempts realtors from any local ordinance that "prohibits short-term rentals”. The Statement goes on to say that realtors are worthy of this special exemption because they must follow a specific code of ethics and conduct or risk losing their license. But we confirmed with multiple realtors that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Code of Ethics says NOTHING about realtor accountability for negative impacts on neighbors of the properties that they manage. (see citation in the attached letter). In fact, the NAR Fiduciary Duties OBLIGATES realtors to look after their CLIENTS' best interests, with no defined duty to the neighbors of rental properties that they manage (see citation in the attached letter). So for example, even if a realtor KNOWS that a group seeking to rent an STR intends to a host large party or will otherwise be disruptive to neighbors, the NAR Fiduciary Duties OBLIGATES the realtor to accept the rental if that is in the best interest of the property owner. So this bill attempts to address an ALLEGED overreach by localities with an EVEN GREATER OVERREACH BY THE STATE ON BEHALF OF, AND TO THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF REALTORS. Furthermore, there are still lawsuits pending on STR ordinances in at least one of our state Circuit Courts. When considering another STR bill last Year, Senator DeSteph cited pending lawsuits in the Senate Local Government Committee meeting on 1/31/2022 as the reason to strike his SB602. Those lawsuits are still pending, so HB2271 should not advance for the same reason. The Senate Local Government Committee has still not received the "guidelines and framework for moving forward” from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that it motion said that it needed before advancing STR bills. So again, for the same reasons as cited last year, HB2271 should not advance You DID receive from DHCD on 1/20/2023 from their Commission on Local Government is an updated “Estimate of Local Fiscal Impact” for SB1391 and HB2271, showing that the 15 localities responding to their inquiry reported that “Localities [EACH] estimated negative fiscal impacts ranging from $0 to $0.41 million over the biennium (including both revenue losses and expenditure increases).” Mitigating this impact requires convening ALL stakeholders, not just realtors, and thoughtful balancing of the various competing interests. The consequences of this proposed legislation and its impact on neighborhoods and communities are likely to be irreparable and irreversible. Realtors and STR investors will greatly benefit from this bill, but Virginia localities and most of your constituents will not. The North Virginia Beach Civic League continues to strongly OPPOSE SB1391, HB2271, and HB1362 that would restrict the ability of localities to regulate STRs.

My name is Molly Oberst. I have been a full-time North End resident in Virginia Beach for over 20 years and I OPPOSE HB2271 as well as SB1391. While the North End is a oceanfront location, it is not suited for STRs. The zoning for residential property is such that houses are built within less than 20 feet of each other and space for parking - both on properties as well as on street - is limited. North End residents DO NOT WANT this residential neighborhood to look like the outer banks with mega homes built with 8 or more bedrooms designed for STRs. This neighborhood has a large percentage of full-time, year-round residents who live and work here and have children who are growing up here just like any other residential neighborhood in Virginia Beach. Our residents DO NOT WANT to live next to a small business run as a hotel with high turnover of strangers. I am so tired of the argument that property rights are being restricted by not allowing an owner's right to decide what to do with their property. You can't have chickens and horses on your property at the North End. This is one more zoning restriction that is consistent with the ensuring residents' rights to the peaceful enjoyment of their home. There has already been one incident of a out-of-control house party that resulted in gunfire. https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach/loud-crowds-and-gunfire-downsides-of-short-term-rentals-play-out-at-party-in-north-end-of-virginia-beach/ I OPPOSE HB2271 and ask that you respect the resident's rights to peaceful enjoyment of their home. PLEASE OPPOSE HB2271. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Molly Oberst 65th Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451

As was seen with the land use regulation from a few years ago related to proffers, when the state imposes its will on matters of local land use control, there tends to be unintended consequences. In the case of proffer legislation, the amended state law had a chilling effect on local approvals leading to a decrease in permitted housing units. Restricting certain aspects of local control for short term rentals will likely cause a similar chilling effect for the availability of short term rentals. While the proposed legislation restricts certain aspects of local short term rental regulation, it does not, and practically cannot, restrict all forms. For example, a local zoning ordinance could be adopted restricting short term rentals to an occupancy of one person (allowable as written) or place some other restriction in place that is not counter to the proposed language. Localities will choose few to no new short term rentals over uncontrollable short term rentals leading to the unintended consequence of reducing short term rental availability. An argument can be made that the law would only exempt a small portion of short term rentals that are managed by Realtors. If the bill is signed into law any rational person would simply use a realtor to bypass local control.

I oppose this bill as it ignores the democratic outcome of residents and local leaders in a locality, and places decision making in the hands of realtors. Short term rentals are a land use issue and for profit business and need to be regulated as such. Placing the decision for there location and density in the hands of realtors is contrary to the good governance practices seen in the Commonwealth in all other areas of land use planning, and business regulation, and is an obvious attempt to circumvent the will of the people in Virginia Beach. Otherwise, why is this legislation needed, and why would any official elected by citizens attempt to put the voice of the people in a realtor association?

I am a Virginia Beach resident and property owner and I oppose HB2271. Authority for oversight of regulations on Short Term Rentals should be retained at the local level, not the state level. The City Council of Virginia Beach has already developed ordinances for regulation of Short Term Rentals that were put into effect in September, 2021.

It might seem allowing realtors to regulate themselves would be a good idea because they are professionals right? Unfortunately , many realtors are the worst STR offenders in VA Beach. Realtors work for themselves, real estate companies, developers, STR owners and property management companies. MANY engage in sharp business practices and they are a well-oiled machine in circumventing STR regulations. Here are some of their tricks: 1) they “hide” their properties and do not apply for a conditional use permit (CUP) until someone turns them in; 2) once they are on the city’s radar they ask for a CUP extension but never complete the process; 3) they get approval to build, for example, a 3 bedroom STR (which only requires 3 parking spaces) but build a 4 bedroom STR which generates more income, guests and cars, 4) they renovate, for example, an existing 3 bedroom-2 bath home into a 4 bedroom-3 bath STR without city’s knowledge and pay property taxes on the original 3 bedroom dwelling; 5) they advertise more bedrooms than are recorded in city records and fool Airbnb guests by putting conventional beds, sofa beds, futons, and air mattresses in any room of the STR and calling that room a bedroom; 6) they add sleeping areas but call them offices, media rooms, nurseries, bunk rooms, bonus rooms, or additional living areas. 7) they falsify CUP documents (say whatever they need to get Council approval) and then do what they want once they’re approved; 8) they subdivide investment properties, including garages, into separate living spaces (duplexes or triplexes) without city’s knowledge and then call these rentals “home share properties,” 9) they purchase STRs using different corporate names to avoid detection, and 10) they advise their clients how to do all of the above. MANY realtors, both STR owners and property managers, are the subjects of zoning violations and they require constant monitoring. It would unwise and unfair to exempt this group from STR regulations and the supervision they require.

As a veteran, I ask that you would SUPPORT HB2271 on my behalf as a VA Beach resident. I understand the regulations and compromises that the council has painstakingly come to an agreement on in Sep 2021, and even respect the opposing side’s viewpoint on this bill. STRs require regulation, like any other business. But that regulation cannot be restrictive or impose on the rights of property owners to the degree that the current regulations do. As stated before, some of the regulations have been enacted “just to make STR owners’ lives miserable, and choke STRs out.” And that isn’t right either. The same property owners who pay high taxes for their properties in the North End also benefit from the revenue generated by incoming tourism, and a great majority of that tourism is made possible by STRs! The taxes that registered STR owners pay to the city go toward the revitalization of the oceanfront, roads, public use facilities, etc., which everyone benefits from. Every tax paying citizen has a right to use their land and property as they deem (under law that is) and not be subject to oppressive and impossible regulations that snuff out small business. If someone chooses to invest in real estate and create a stream of income, that is their right. And STRs should be subject to the same codes and laws of other business buildings, not more (which is an effort to shut them down). I support my aging mother off the revenue of my rental. And I am a responsible homeowner and considerate neighbor. My property is not in a residential, quiet neighborhood where it shouldn’t be, and yet these regulations imposed on STRs makes it nearly impossible to stay afloat. Unfortunately, regulations like these will eventually force homeowners to sell their properties/small businesses and invest in other more accommodating cities. Without places to stay, tourism will decrease. There needs to be some kind of compromise and community working together. But saying that the regulations enacted in Sep 2021 were a compromise is absurd. They are meant to shut down STRs— Both HB2271 and SB1391 would establish that localities cannot enforce ordinances related to short-term rentals that are managed by a Virginia realtor that: Prohibit short-term rentals Limit occupancy that is less than what is allowed under the building code or zoning regulations Limit the number of days in which a short-term rental may be rented Require any type of remote monitoring device to be installed, such as a decibel reader, video or audio Require the owner to reside in the property as a primary residence Require exterior/interior inspections of short-term rentals more frequently than every five years Require repairs or renovations that are greater than those required under the applicable building code Require the owner to add additional parking spaces Support HB2271 in order to restore the rights of homeowners to the HOMEOWNERS! I earned my VA loan with sacrificial service to my country and have a right to utilize it to support my mother! I abide by regulations and respect the community and AM a responsive homeowner. The previously enacted regulations need to be adjusted to consider the rights of everyone . This bill and the others do that! Will further legislation be needed to come to an appropriate agreement between both sides? Most likely. And that’s ok. But this bill helps put negotiation back on the table and not shut down STRs! Vote in favor please!

I vehemently oppose HB2271. As the operator of a STR in Virginia Beach I believe the city alone has the responsibility of honoring property ownership rights while protecting neighborhoods. Putting this power in the hands of the real estate lobby is a recipe for disaster.

I oppose HB 2271. As an owner of 2 properties and a resident in the North End neighborhood of Virginia Beach, I firmly believe sensible regulations need to be implemented and enforced at the local level, which was already done by our City Council in Sept 2021. It seems this bill stands to override those local ordinances and allow the state to impose regulations that would not necessarily be beneficial in all jurisdictions. This issue should be decided at the local level without question.

Oppose HB2271. The state should not be regulating ordinances for local neighborhoods. We should not view STR regulations any differently than zoning laws, which are, and should be determined by the localities, not the state. Regardless of anyone's opinion on STR regulation, these regulations should only be controlled locally.

I am vigorously opposed to HB2271. We as citizens of Virginia Beach have developed a compromise solution to STRs wherein they are allowed in portions of the City while not allowed in others. We do want commercial enterprises within our neighborhoods. A vast majority of the ocean front area allows STRs and that is appropriate for visitors to the beach. Other areas near the beach are solely residential and including commercial operations (STRs) is inappropriate. We, the citizens, have developed these regulations. The real estate industry, who largely do not live in the subject neighborhoods, are not accepting the regulations based on economics only - there is no interest on their part as to neighborhood character, etc. Please remove this bill from consideration.

Hello, my name is Marc DiGiorgio I have two short term rental homes In Sandbridge Beach. I love Sandbridge since 1991 and have been vacationing there ever since. My homes are strictly for investment purposes only and completely support my family. I am a responsible owner and I will admit there are too many large houses being built in Sandbridge, but what is happening to responsible short term rental home owners in Virginia Beach is simply not fair. This has all been brought about by councilwoman Barbara Henley, as she clearly has a vendetta against short term rentals. It’s funny or interesting that she has been on the council for about 30 years and this has only NOW become her main ambition in her public service life. Obviously she is a very influential person on this council and I’m actually afraid to mention the obvious because I could be targeted, but someone has to speak up for the “little guy or gal.” Some past or present members of the city council have not been able to completely end short term rentals in all of Virginia Beach due to higher voices blocking some of their initiatives, so they now came up with impossible ordinances to “choke” us out or to make our lives miserable. I am very thankful that there is someone who sees the hypocrisy and is willing to help us fight back this act of tranny from certain individuals on the Virginia Beach City Council. I do completely support HB 2271 and SB 1391 which provides protection for property rights for short term rentals. Thank you so much for this opportunity to hopefully right these unfair ordinances put upon us home owners .

I OPPOSE HB2271, SB1391 and HB 1362 (carried over from the 2022 session) I am a full time resident trying to raise my 3 children in a RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, not an STR, realtor driven business district. I spent countless hours of time writing, calling and attending meetings over a year, missing time with my young children to oppose turning my neighborhood from residential zoning to business zoning. As residents in conjunction with the City Council, we figured out a plan. I pay exorbitant taxes to live where I do, and I want to raise my 3 boys in a safe environment with REAL NEIGHBORS who I know and trust. The fact that a realtor or someone who wants to become a realtor can set up a short term rental at any point and however many they want in MY NEIGHBORHOOD where I LIVE, PAY TAXES and RAISE MY CHILDREN is appalling. This will allow realtors to run mini motels next to my primary residence. Please let the RESIDENTS DECIDE about their neighborhood and DON'T TURN IT INTO A BUSINESS!!!!  

SUPPORT HB2271. Thank you for your bill that adds reason back into our property rights. The current ordinance in Va Beach is an insult to all reasonable responsible property owners. Your bill will free our zoning enforcement office up to go after the bad actors, but be weighted under a sea of paperwork from people who are responsible.

I am against this bill. Local cities, communities and neighborhoods should have the ability to determine if STR’s are appropriate for their area. Please do not support this bill. Thank you.

OPPOSE HB 2271, Virginia Beach - The realtors attempt to ruin our neighborhoods after the PEOPLE have spoken on the matter for 3 years is wrong. The Planning Commission and City Council meetings LISTENED AND VOTED and now the realtors are trying an end around for nothing but money. Quality of life is why I pay the extra taxes at the north end. Do not second guess the people and cities who want specifics in order to regulate STR's. The majority easily and vastly oppose the “hotelization “ of their neighborhood! We have a guy from DC who bought a house here just to put in his little home hotel to make money. He does not live here but we do. Do not change the City of VA. Beach ruling on STR's. This is a horrible idea and we have suffered from short term rentals with blocked access to our driveways, loud groups and more. We HATE this idea and so many STR owners are deceitful with their posts and Do not pay the taxes due!

OPPOSE HB 2271, Virginia Beach - The realtors attempt to ruin our neighborhoods after the PEOPLE have spoken on the matter for 3 years is wrong. The Planning Commission and City Council meetings LISTENED AND VOTED and now the realtors are trying an end around for nothing but money. Quality of life is why I pay the extra taxes at the north end. Do not second guess the people and cities who want specifics in order to regulate STR's. The majority easily and vastly oppose the “hotelization “ of their neighborhood! We have a guy from DC who bought a house here just to put in his little home hotel to make money. He does not live here but we do. Do not change the City of VA. Beach ruling on STR's.

OPPOSE HB 2271, Virginia Beach spent three years listening to public comment through the Planning Commission and City Council meetings in order to regulate STR. Do not give realtors a special pass on these reasonable ordinances established after a long process of listening to homeowners that oppose the “hotelization “ of their neighborhood!

STR has taken on a new meaning…Swamp The Residents. Senate Committee on Local Government and House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns are considering identical bills SB 1391 with HB 2271 a holdover from 2022 which will gut the local ordinances regulating Short Term Rentals. Our Planning Commissions, City Councils and Board of Supervisors are the frontline workers for neighborhood protection, preservation and overall land use zoning and regulations. Just as each of you come from very different localities with very different characteristics, the same applies to the need for short term rental regulations. These two proposals as well as HB 1362 place the profits of in-coming short term rental investors over the investment of the private long-term homeowners that created the livability of the targeted neighborhoods. The city of Virginia Beach recognized the impacts and created STR regulations and designated a specific zoning area in the resort sector for STRs. These protective regulations would be decimated under proposed SB 1391, HB 2271 and HB 1362. The Board of Realtors would have one believe “one size fits all”. This is not a Cinderella fairy tale, and these changes will not allow residential neighborhoods to “live happily ever-after.” As proposed, mini hotels with little or no regulations will infiltrate and dramatically impact the quality and character of our peaceful neighborhoods. These bills will provide exemptions to STRs which are under the auspicious of a realtor from the locality’s zoning and regulation ordinances thus setting up a special elite STR owner’s class. Please kill SB 1391, HB 2271 and HB 1362. You would not want one of these STRs next to your home either.

I oppose HB2271. Virginia Beach has debated the STR issue for many years and finally put into place regulation’s/restrictions to deal with the plethora of problems that arise in our neighborhoods due to poor management of these short term rental properties. And it appears to be helping. Do not take away our ability to regulate our own neighborhoods.

I am writing in support of this bill as the city of virginia beach is making it almost impossible to rent without jumping through hoops and spending a lot of money to have annual inspections, etc. The city will not accept the fact that 2 cars can go in a 2 car garage - they state that only 1 car can go in. If you are an out of town property owner who rents in the summer just to be able to pay the property taxes, they are making it almost impossible with all of their restritions. Please support this bill.

PLEASE SUPPORT HB2271 There has been many ordinances put into place to help ensure the STR are done the proper way per the city. I’m unsure of why we would should consistently have our rights to OUR homes taken away.

Please support HB2271. This bill will help ensure that localities cannot over-extend and take away property rights from landowners.

This is an example of overreach by the state to dictate to a locality about an issue of importance to residents and resolved by city council through an ordinance debated ad nauseam. The citizens of Virginia Beach petitioned council to restrict STRs because of the disruption they cause as registered and unregistered business in residentially zone neighborhoods. Time and again issues with these properties have been raised and the conclusion was to limit them to insure property owners experienced the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Yet delegates representing real estate interests are ignoring our property rights by usurping the city councils ability to regulate a business and use zoning laws to do so. This is blatant state government interference in a city’s ability to run its own affairs. Do not allow the needs of realtors and str owners to override the broader interests of the community unless you are willing to see communities divided.

I am writing in strop opposition to HB2271. Virginia Beach has spent a great deal of time, money and energy to finally create rules/regulations surrounding STRs and positive results are starting to be witnessed. There is a reduction in bad behavior from large parties and there are now avenues to report issues. Bill 2271 would reverse much of this effort and return the STR market to the wild west that we have previously experienced. Localities know best how to run the STR market. Again, I oppose HB2271.

Comments Document

This state level legislation compels localities to allow STRs and limits local ability to regulate STRs. Multiple petitions in 2021 across the city of Virginia Beach confirmed an overwhelming 20 to 1 opposition to reducing regulation of STRs, mostly due to our local resident experiences with disruptive tenants and unresponsive STR owners. Our neighborhood communities rely on local regulation of land use and businesses. Realtors who manage STRs in our area have a history of being unresponsive to resident complaints. It does not make sense to allow them to manage STRs without complying with local ordinances for zoning, land use planning, and compatible use and operation of businesses in residential neighborhoods.

As a Virginia Beach resident I am appalled that legislation has been introduced in the current session to eviscerate local administration of Short Term Rentals (STRs). The City Council and citizens of Virginia Beach worked hard to enact local ordinances to address the very real harms that uncontrolled STR proliferation impose on residents. To hear that now, despite the consensus we achieved to regulate the disruption to our neighborhoods, special interests in Richmond are scheming to nullify our decision is infuriating. HB2271 appears to be nothing more than a money grab by Realtors. I OPPOSE this bill and any other legislation that would override or limit the authority of our City to regulate Short Term Rentals. Let the voters and duly-elected government officials of Virginia Beach retain the authority to manage zoning and the safety of our neighborhoods via our local ordinances.

I cannot imagine a short term rental with NO supervision vis realtors. Even prior to the short term wave, realtors were renting houses and never responded to complaints, and that is when people were more civil. I worked for the Virginia Beach Fire Department and we received calls to assist at short term rentals. We needed to contact a representative from the reality company and not once did we receive a phone call back of have anyone respond to the house. Currently I am continually calling the city to have the trash cans that are left out most of the week. One would think there would be repercussions after the third or fourth call. Nothing. I cannot imaging what it will be like if you allow this bills passage. Please oppose this bill. Thank you

Honorable Senators and Delegates, I request that you OPPOSE SB 1391, HB2271, and HB 1362, and any other legislation that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs) and that you support existing ordinances of the City of Virginia Beach and other localities regarding Short Term Rentals which reflect the majority opinion of residents and voters. The City of Virginia Beach invested over 3 years of public hearings, drafting, and debate by a special task force, our Planning Commission, and our City Council to develop STR ordinances that were enacted in September 2021. Multiple petitions of Virginia Beach residents confirmed overwhelming opposition to STRs by more than a 20 to 1 margin.

Honorable Senators and Delegates, I request that you OPPOSE HB2271, and and any other legislation that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs). My position is fully consistent with, and supportive of, the Policy Statement of the City of Virginia Beach on Short Term Rentals, as our City Council recently adopted in its General Assembly Legislative Agenda for the 2023 Session1: “The City Council is opposed to any legislation that: - Compels localities to allow Short-Term Rentals (STRs) - Limits the ability of localities to regulate STRs - Overrides local authority for STR land use or planning” In response to recurring incidents of disruptive STR tenants and unresponsive STR owners and operators, INCLUDING LICENSED REALTORS, the City of Virginia Beach invested over 3 years of public hearings, drafting, and debate by a special task force, our Planning Commission, and our City Council to develop STR ordinances that were enacted in September 2021.

I request that you OPPOSE HB2271, and HB 1362 (carried over from the 2022 session), and any other legislation that would override or limit the authority of localities to regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs). In response to recurring incidents of disruptive STR tenants and unresponsive STR owners and operators, INCLUDING LICENSED REALTORS, the City of Virginia Beach invested over 3 years of public hearings, drafting, and debate by a special task force, our Planning Commission, and our City Council to develop STR ordinances that were enacted in September 2021. NVBCL supports these ordinances, and we welcome the General Assembly to give localities greater authority, not less, to enforce these and similar ordinances. Multiple petitions of Virginia Beach residents in mid-2021, not limited to NVBCL members or residents of North Virginia Beach, confirmed overwhelming opposition to STRs by more than a 20 to 1 margin. During the Virginia General Assembly 2022 session, we opposed both SB602 (Short-term rental properties; definition, locality requirements and restrictions) and HB 1362 (Short-term rentals; localities’ ability to restrict). When the Senate Local Government Committee carried over HB1362 from the 2022 session to the 2023 session, the chair stated during the meeting that the matter would be referred to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for further study. In October, we contacted Kristen Dahlman, Policy and Legislative Director for DHCD, about the status of any DHCD study regarding STRs. She told us that DHCD received no request for such a study. The General Assembly should not consider this or any other bill regarding STRs until DHCD conducts a comprehensive study of STR impact on residential communities, including appropriate opportunities for citizen input. HB2271 would improperly exempt Virginia realtors from locality enforcement of ANY ordinance related to STRs that they manage, without addressing any of the zoning, compatible use, safety, due diligence, or community integrity that Virginia Beach and other localities address through ordinances. We request that you, the Virginia Beach Delegation to the 2023 Virginia General Assembly, discontinue further consideration of HB2271 and HB1362, and that you support existing ordinances of the City of Virginia Beach and other localities regarding Short Term Rentals which reflect the majority opinion of residents and voters.

I SUPPORT 1634, 1746, 1994, 2144, and 2352. I'm curious about 2494. I support the building of more housing and removing any red tape to building more homes, but I have questions about this bill and don't pretend to understand all its ramifications.