Sec. 14-549. - Operational requirements.

(a)

Local representative—At all times a short-term rental unit is rented, the host or a designated local representative person shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the purpose of responding within fours hours of notification to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants or guests of the short-term rental unit.

(1)

Upon notification that any occupant and/or guest of the short-term rental unit has created unreasonable noise or disturbances, engaged in disorderly conduct, or committed violations of any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term rental unit, the host or local representative shall respond within four hours and immediately halt and prevent a recurrence of such conduct by any occupants and/or guests.

(2)

The host may change the designation of the local representative by filing an amended registration application including the name, address, and telephone number of the new local representative.

(b)

Advertising—No person shall advertise, undertake, maintain, authorize, book, or facilitate any short-term rental to guests in a manner that does not comply with this short-term rental ordinance. The host shall be responsible and is required to accurately state in all short-term rental advertising (including postings to web-based platforms), the maximum number of bedrooms, maximum number of persons, number of designated on-site parking spaces, and provide notice to renters of the regulatory standards of this short-term rental ordinance.

(c)

Short-term rentals shall be limited to one booking per property per day. One party checking out and a different party checking in on the same day is permitted. A booking may consist of the short-term rental of one or more bedrooms in the dwelling unit or the short-term rental of the entire home.

(d)

Residential character—Short-term rentals shall not adversely affect the residential character of the neighborhood nor shall the use generate noise, vibration, glare, odors, or other effects that unreasonably interfere with any person's reasonable enjoyment of his or her residence.

(1)

A host of a short-term rental unit shall not change or allow the residential character of the outside appearance of the residence to be changed, either by the use of colors, materials, lighting, signage, or any advertising mechanism.

(2)

Events including, but not limited to, weddings, banquets, bachelor or bachelorette parties and corporate events are prohibited from occurring as part of the short-term rental use. The dwelling shall not be advertised or rented for the purpose of accommodating such uses.

(3)

No person shall offer or engage in short-term rental activity in any part of the property not approved for residential use, including, but not limited to, a vehicle parked on the property, recreational vehicle, boat, a storage shed, trailer, garage, or any temporary structure such as a tent or tree house.

(e)

The host shall have a separate written lease or rental agreement for each individual booking. Each lease or rental agreement for a short-term rental shall include a copy of this short-term rental ordinance and shall be attached as an exhibit.

(f)

The following information shall be posted in a conspicuous location within the short-term rental unit so as to be readily available for inspection by police, zoning, building, fire, or housing officials of the Town of Narragansett.:

(1)

The short-term rental permit;

(2)

The name and contact information for the host and/or local representative;

(3)

The maximum number of overnight occupants and approved parking spaces;

(4)

Applicable rules and schedules for trash and recycling storage and pickup, noise, parking, and water restrictions;

(5)

Local emergency information;

(6)

A copy of the current lease indicating the names of the official renter(s) for that time period. This document shall be changed with the change of every group of renter(s);

(7)

A statement that the renter may be held legally responsible and liable for any violations of law committed by the renter or by other occupants or guests while at the short-term rental unit.

(g)

Each short-term rental host shall comply with the provisions of all town, county, state, or federal disaster or emergency orders.

(Ch. 1123, § 3, 5-6-2024, eff. 9-1-2024)