Northampton to consider Cape Charles STR regs

Northampton County will review the newly passed short-term rental (STR) regulations adopted by the Town of Cape Charles to consider whether any of the provisions could be applied at the county level in its own ongoing wrangling with the issue.

Northampton Board of Supervisors Chairman John Coker suggested the idea to fellow Supervisors, who agreed that examining Cape Charles’ approach could help identify measures that might work for the County.

Among the Cape Charles regulations highlighted by Coker are requirements for a business license—based on annual revenue generated by the property—a zoning permit, and an annual safety inspection.

Northampton’s new County Attorney will review the Cape Charles ordinance and present recommendations for the Board’s consideration.

Additionally, the Board voted to drop a previous proposal to create a county-wide STR registry. Instead, they opted to contract a third-party vendor to monitor unlicensed short-term rentals and ensure proper tax compliance.