(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Salem Lakes officials unanimously voted Tuesday night to begin pursuing what could become broad new restrictions on Airbnb and other short-term rental properties, directing Village Attorney Remzy Bitar — whose legal services bill the village at hundreds of dollars per hour — to begin developing options and possible ordinance language that could ultimately impose additional fees, permitting requirements and regulations beyond what Wisconsin already requires.
The village board, which following the recent election now consists of one conservative member and a liberal majority, approved the measure unanimously after an extended discussion focused on complaints involving short-term rentals, neighborhood impacts, safety concerns and possible revenue opportunities.
Village President Rita Bucur (D) strongly supported moving forward and repeatedly emphasized that she believes action needs to be taken before Airbnb-style properties become more common in Salem Lakes. “I am completely in favor of this,” Bucur said, later adding that the village has a responsibility to protect residents’ “assets, welfare, safety and way of life.”
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Trustee Amanda Procknow (D) was also supportive and discussed possible room-tax revenue opportunities during the meeting. The issue was initially brought before the board by Village Clerk Sara “Casara” Spencer. Spencer is known within village circles by the nickname “Casara,” a reference to her close relationship with former Village Administrator Cassandra Hiller. Spencer briefly served as interim co-administrator after Hiller’s departure and brought the issue to the attention of village officials and onto the board’s agenda.
Spencer told trustees she had already spoken with clerks from other communities and gathered examples of regulations being used elsewhere. “These ordinances can range from very basic,” Spencer told trustees. Trustee Dennis Faber (D) said he had received complaints involving short-term rentals and described one situation that he said involved concerns about a property being used as a party location.
“But the letter we got the other day was entirely different,” Faber said. “This is a big party place where people can just use it and abuse it.” Faber said numerous municipalities had already created similar ordinances and voiced support for Salem Lakes doing the same.
Officials discussed a wide range of possible restrictions, including registration requirements, local permitting systems, occupancy rules, annual well testing, smoke detector verification and even a minimum 30-day stay requirement.
If implemented, a 30-day minimum stay requirement could substantially affect — or potentially eliminate — many Airbnb-style weekend rentals. Pete Poli (R), the lone conservative on the board, discussed safety concerns and suggested possible additional measures including well testing and smoke detector verification.
However, Wisconsin already imposes state-level regulation on many short-term rental properties. Village Attorney Bitar acknowledged that during Tuesday’s discussion. “First, the state does require permitting,” Bitar told trustees.
Under Wisconsin’s Tourist Rooming House requirements, many operators already must obtain state licensing, comply with health and safety standards and undergo inspections. State fees can include approximately $592 for an initial inspection and approximately $296 annually for licensing and ongoing regulation.
State oversight already covers matters discussed Tuesday night, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, sanitation requirements, occupancy issues and other safety-related standards. Residents who spoke with Kenosha County Eye questioned whether additional village regulation would simply create another layer of local bureaucracy and cost for property owners who already comply with state rules.
Several residents told Kenosha County Eye they believed relying on safety concerns as a primary justification was disingenuous because many of those same protections already exist through state oversight.
One resident who spoke with Kenosha County Eye said:
“I can’t believe this government is putting up more red tape for people who simply want rights for their own property. The state already handles licensing and safety issues, so I’m confused why the board wants to add more rules and more taxes on us. Taxes in Salem Lakes are going up each year, and it seems like President Bucur looks for any reason to tax us more.”
Revenue also surfaced as a recurring topic during the meeting. Procknow discussed room-tax possibilities, although Spencer later clarified that the village itself would only retain a portion of those revenues while much would be directed elsewhere.
No ordinance has yet been drafted and no new restrictions currently exist.
Tuesday night’s vote simply begins the process, but with unanimous board support and village legal counsel now directed to move forward, Salem Lakes has officially started down the path toward potentially imposing additional regulations and fees on short-term rental properties.
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