Cape Charles, VA – The Town of Cape Charles is grappling with a growing divide between full-time residents and property owners who have embraced the short-term rental trend. As platforms like Airbnb and VRBO gain popularity, an increasing number of homes in Cape Charles are being converted into vacation rentals, leading to concerns among long-term residents.
Some residents have since taken to displaying political signs in their yards, a move that codifies and makes concrete the political, cultural, and economic rift in Cape Charles.
At the heart of the conflict lies the impact of short-term rentals on the town’s housing market and sense of community. Many full-time residents argue that the influx of vacation rentals has driven up property prices and made it challenging for locals to find affordable housing. One longtime local told the Mirror, “I’ve lived in Cape Charles my entire life, but now I’m being priced out of my own hometown.”
Furthermore, some residents claim that the constant turnover of short-term renters has eroded the close-knit fabric of the community.
On the other hand, property owners who rent out their homes argue that short-term rentals have been a boon to the local economy, bringing in tourist dollars and supporting small businesses. A resident who owns a second home in Cape Charles told the Mirror, “The revenue generated from vacation rentals has allowed me to maintain my property and contribute to the town’s economy. I love Cape Charles and plan to eventually retire here, but it just isn’t feasible for me at this time.”
As tensions mount, the Cape Charles Town Council is grappling with how to strike a balance between the interests of full-time residents and property owners. Proposed solutions range from capping the number of short-term rentals to implementing stricter regulations on noise and parking.
Town Manager John Hozey has acknowledged the complexity of the issue, and it’s clear that he and the Town Council understand the concerns of our full-time residents, but they also recognize the economic benefits that short-term rentals bring to our town.
“This has become a significant issue in town, with passionate views on either side.The town hall meeting was good opportunity for both sides to be in the same room and hear each other as neighbors. Speakers were respectful, and the Town Council mostly just listened. As I stated at the beginning of the meeting, the goal for the evening wasn’t to solve the issues, but rather to understand the issues better. The Council will now meet in a work session in the coming weeks to discuss what they heard, and to provide me and my committee more specific guidance for moving forward” — Town Manager Hozey.