🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - East Haven, CT

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

East Haven Finalizes Short-Term Rental Rules with Big Changes for Part-Time Hosts

East Haven has officially passed a new short-term rental ordinance marking the end of a lengthy debate over how to manage growing concerns about rowdy guests near the town’s beaches. The ordinance set to go into effect on January 1, 2026, includes several key provisions designed to give the town more oversight over STRs, particularly in residential areas.

Perhaps the most contentious change is a residency requirement that will prevent seasonal residents from renting out their homes through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo unless they live in East Haven for at least half the year. While the exact number of STRs this rule will affect is uncertain, officials predict that it could take dozens of properties off the market, significantly impacting part-time hosts.

In addition to the residency requirement, the new rules will require all hosts to obtain an annual special permit. Hosts will only be allowed to rent out their properties once every seven days, unless they are present during the rental. They will also be capped at 150 rental days per year.

To ensure compliance, the town can fine hosts $500 per day for unresolved violations and revoke permits for repeated infractions.

The delay in implementation until 2026 gives both the town time to hire enforcement staff and hosts time to adjust their operations. Despite the pushback from some STR owners, many local residents have shown strong support for the new rules, which they believe will reduce disturbances in residential neighborhoods.