Town of Lewiston bans short-term rentals in residential areas

LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Town of Lewiston is shutting the door on short-term rental properties in its neighborhoods.

A new law, set to go into effect next month, will ban Airbnbs along with bed-and-breakfasts in the town’s residential areas following a 3-2 vote from the town board.

Board member John Jacoby, who voted for the change, told News 4 WIVB that short-term rental properties have never been legal in the town.

“The town code lists specific things that are allowed in a residential one, residential two and nowhere did it ever say bed-and-breakfast, Airbnb, short-term rentals, tourist homes. None of those have ever been allowed,” Jacoby said.

Jacoby said there are around 15 short-term rental properties operating in the town and that common complaints from residents against the rentals include possible noise, damage to property and garbage being left out.

The most concerning thing he claimed residents are worried about is the lack of community due to the revolving door of tenants.

“If you live next door, you live next door to people you will never know because it’s a different group every weekend,” Jacoby said. “Unfortunately, you have the effect in your own home of living near a hotel as far as that side of your property goes.”

Town Supervisor Steven Broderick was one of the two votes against the ban. He says that when regulated properly, well-kept rental properties don’t cause issues for neighbors.

“I have one that’s adjacent to my property and there’s somebody there every week taking care of the property. I also have three houses within walking distance of my house that are absolute dumps. People don’t take care of them and those are owned by regular folks,” Broderick said.

Short-term rentals are only banned in residential areas but will be allowed to operate with a permit in rural and business districts.

Broderick said he feels bad for people whose income relies on rentals. He added there was a better solution, like what’s used in the Village of Lewiston, which allows up to 50 short-term rentals.

“There are regulations you can act,” Broderick said. “You can actually make minimum stays, when you check into an Airbnb there is usually a folder there on the dues and don’ts. When you must take the garbage out, quietly times, so I felt like we could regulate them properly.”

The bans go into effect May 30, which could cause problems for impacted short-term rentals who might not have enough time to cancel and refund upcoming reservations.

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.