Youngstown updates short-term rental regulations

By Benjamin Joe

Senior Contributing Writer

Short-term-rental operators in the Village of Youngstown will now pay fees for building inspection and fire inspection, as well as annual permits and an application fee. Building and fire fees were set at $250 each and at $500 per year for a permit to operate. Application fees were also set at $50 and reinspection fees were set at $150, along with a $100 fee for late renewals. Permit replacement fees were set at $25.

After the recent Village of Youngstown Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Mike DeDario explained the location of any short-term rentals will be in commercial zones only. However, any short-term rentals that have been operating outside the commercial zones have an opportunity to continue doing so, but still need to fill out an application and pay fees.

The law was made before DeDario came into his office, but he said he believes the intent is to place priority on new, full-time residents getting housing in the village.

“A lot of the towns are trying to restrict that,” he said. “I think they don’t want people just buying property around town, who don’t really live here, to set up short-term rentals.”

Due dates for applications are Nov. 30, and will be reviewed by Dec. 14.

In other news

•The Village of Youngstown gazebo is being renovated. It’s expected to be finished by October, Trustee Colleen Summerville said at the business meeting.

“Construction started this week and we expect to see a new, welcoming look with ADA access by October,” she said. “Already it has a fresh coat of paint, so we are excited.”

•The Village of Youngstown is looking for people interested in serving on the Board of Trustees – to take the place of the former Deputy Mayor Rick Stortecky, who resigned his trusteeship last month – and for individuals who would like to be appointed to the Planning Board.