Stowe Weighs Strong Short-Term Rental Limits Amid Housing Shortage
Stowe Faces Tough Choices as Housing Woes Meet Rental Rules
On a misty morning, the streets of Stowe hum with activity, but the vibe is changing. As a ski town that draws visitors from all over, Stowe’s charm has always balanced local life with a burst of tourist energy—especially in winter. Yet, in recent years, that balance has started to tilt. The ongoing housing squeeze, so familiar now across Vermont, has pushed Stowe’s leaders to consider some of the strictest short-term rental (STR) restrictions in the state.
Selectboard Eyes New Restrictions for Out-of-Town Owners
Stowe’s selectboard is currently reviewing proposals that would significantly tighten how short-term rentals operate within the community. One of the bolder ideas on the table: preventing non-local property owners from renting their homes to visitors through online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
Francis “Paco” Aumand, chair of the selectboard, explained that growing numbers of out-of-towners renting out homes has made it even more difficult for Stowe to keep homes available for year-round residents. According to Aumand, the hope is to slow the erosion of housing for locals—people here have noticed a steady shift as more houses are snapped up for vacation stays instead of longer leases.
“Basically our goal was to help curb, or decrease the loss of long-term housing units. There’s a large school of thought that the homestead population is decreasing with the increased demand for seasonal or vacation homes.”
— Francis “Paco” Aumand, Stowe selectboard chair
The proposed revision is still under debate, but it stands out for its tough stance. If adopted, homeowners who don’t actually live in Stowe full-time could lose their ability to rent properties to short-term visitors in the future. Folks already renting out their properties while living elsewhere would have a sort of “grandfathered” status—they could keep renting under the existing arrangement. However, if they sell, the next owner wouldn’t have that right.
Economic Questions Stir Community Discussion
Stowe’s identity is closely tied to its ski slopes, vibrant shops, and lively restaurants. All depend on vacationers spending money throughout the year. At the same time, there’s growing anxiety that tighter rental rules could threaten that economic lifeblood, especially when finding somewhere affordable to live is tough for local workers.
Aumand acknowledges that balance is tricky:
“It’s an affordability issue in a lot of people’s minds. The challenge is figuring out the economic impact to the community in regards to further regulating short-term rentals. And I think that’s a large question to be answered.”
— Francis “Paco” Aumand
Comparisons With Other Vermont Towns
This isn’t the first time a Vermont municipality has grappled with STR rules. Other towns have enacted laws requiring hosts to register rentals, plus adhere to health and safety rules. Burlington, for instance, insists that most STR owners actually reside onsite—the aim being to keep more housing available to locals. But, as some observers note, what’s unfolding in Stowe could set a whole new precedent.
Julie Marks, who leads the Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance, weighs in on the significance:
“We are really concerned about what happens in Stowe. A lot of our other communities are watching and looking to Stowe as a precedent setter.”
— Julie Marks, Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance
Marks explains that ordinances like Stowe’s have prompted lawsuits in other states. Some courts have come down firmly on the side of local governments, upholding limits on how properties can be rented out. Others, however, have sided with property owners, raising questions about rights and local authority.
Although Marks stops short of saying her organization will challenge any new Stowe ordinance in court, she underscores how carefully rental owners are following this process. Nearly half of Vermont’s vacation rental economy is built around communities like Stowe, nestled at the foot of ski mountains. Any major disruption here could, in her view, ripple across the industry in the entire state.
Next Steps: Public Hearings and Possible Changes
Stowe’s selectboard isn’t acting in a vacuum. The town already passed a law last year requiring all short-term rental properties to register with municipal authorities—offering more transparency and some measure of control. But now, if the selectboard pushes forward with changes, it can do so without putting the question to a town-wide vote. The only requirement is a round of public hearings before any final decision is made.
Divided Views Among Local Stakeholders
The conversation is far from settled, and not everyone is convinced that STRs are the root of the housing crunch. Barbara Getty, who manages rentals in Stowe and has a team dedicated to cleaning and upkeep, points out the bigger picture. To her, tying the affordability crisis directly to short-term rentals misses the mark.
“I think that they are barking up the wrong tree. They are not going to solve the affordable housing issue on the backs of short-term rental owners.”
— Barbara Getty, local property management business owner
Getty’s perspective echoes what many Vermont property owners and managers express. She argues that high construction costs and the broader statewide shortage—not STRs alone—are what’s making housing less accessible. From her vantage point, restricting rental flexibility for owners likely won’t lead to a housing breakthrough anytime soon.
All Eyes on Stowe: A Local Decision With Statewide Implications
What happens in Stowe is watched closely both by folks who rent out homes and those hoping to find one they can actually afford. With almost half of the state’s vacation rentals concentrated near ski areas, even incremental rule changes could ripple across Vermont’s rental landscape. Is it possible to keep year-round housing available without hurting local businesses that thrive on tourism? That’s the puzzle facing town officials, property owners, and residents alike.
For independent landlords, property managers, and tenants trying to keep up with shifting rental policies, this debate in Stowe serves as a vivid reminder of how deeply local policy can impact day-to-day reality. Whether these restrictions move forward or evolve in unexpected ways, Vermont’s rental market will be shaped by the choices made in its iconic mountain towns. The story isn’t over—neighbors, officials, and industry groups continue weighing in with new insights and concerns, keeping the conversation lively as 2026 unfolds.