The Cape Charles Town Council approved textual changes to the town ordinance which will open the door to a vacation rental free-for-all. Council approved the basically unfettered use for accessory dwellings in the residential area. The updated text reads:
AirBnB rentals in Cape Charles
Article IV, Section 4.2.E.12|Article III, Section 3.1.F.5 (new sections for addition to the ordinance) In the Residential Estate District the total footprint area of all accessory building lot coverage shall not exceed seven (7) percent and no one accessory building shall have an area greater than twelve hundred (1,200) square feet. Staff recommends this amendment to allow for a more proportional accessory building footprint to lot area in this zoning district.
Article IV, Section 4.2.E.13\Article III, Section 3.2.F.4 (new sections for addition to the ordinance) On non-conforming lots smaller than fifty-six hundred (5,600) square feet in the Residential – 1 District the total footprint area of all accessory building lot coverage shall not exceed ten (10) percent. Staff recommends this amendment to allow for a more proportional accessory building footprint to lot area in this zoning district.
With AirBnB rentals soaring, the ability to now build an additional rental unit in your back yard has the potential to push rentals, and the town infrastructure to the brink.
The big winner is AirBnB, which already boasts pages of Cape Charles properties. If you thought the summers are already overcrowded and unbearable, it’s only going to get worse.
I’m a little confused… This update is addressing accessory buildings, not accessory dwellings. This change if I did my math right, would allow me to build a 784 sq foot garage if I own 2 40×140 lots and build across both. The old ordinance limit allowed for only 660 sq ft for property owners that have more than 80 ft wide property line. The benefit here seems to be for those that want to build across 3 lots as they won’t be restricted to,the old 660 number. I don’t think the town has approved accessory dwelling units so unless I’m missing something, the AirBNB comment doesn’t apply unless the assumption is this change is the setup for that change.
Note: Good points. Thanks.
To convert an accessory building or build a new one for occupancy you need separate power and separate water meter and compliance with all building codes. Bases on size restrictions you would be a long time recouping that investment.