🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Princeton, NJ
Short-Term Rentals Back in Focus as Princeton Introduces New Ordinance
A New Chapter for Airbnbs: Princeton Considers Fresh STR Rules
Short-term rentals are officially back on Princeton’s agenda. At the November 24 Mayor and Council meeting, an ordinance was introduced that could reshape how Airbnbs and other short-term stays operate throughout town. While the details won’t be debated publicly until a later date, the direction is clear: Princeton is preparing to draw firmer lines around the growing STR trend.
Airbnb and similar platforms have made it easy for residents to rent out spare rooms, guest suites, or even entire homes for a few days at a time. But that convenience comes with challenges. STRs currently sit in a regulatory middle ground—they’re not taxed like hotels, yet they also aren’t inspected like traditional long-term rentals. Over time, these gaps have raised questions about neighborhood impacts, housing availability, and how STRs fit into Princeton’s long-term vision for community life.
Back on October 8, Health Officer Jeff Grosser and the town’s STR workgroup presented a series of policy options to address those concerns. One question stood out: Should STR hosts be required to live full-time on the property they’re renting out? According to Grosser’s memo, that requirement could help slow the creeping effects STRs can have on the local housing market—especially the way they can edge out long-term rental options or make homeownership even pricier by pushing property owners toward short-term profits.
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The newly introduced ordinance embraces that concept wholeheartedly. It includes a principal residence requirement, meaning hosts will need to treat their STR property as their primary home. This measure aims to ensure that STRs supplement Princeton’s neighborhood fabric rather than overwhelm it.
The ordinance also takes a practical approach to bringing everyone on board. For current STR operators whose properties aren’t their main residence, Princeton plans a three-year phase-out window. During that time, they’ll need to either transition to long-term rentals or move into the property themselves. This adjustment period reflects an understanding that many hosts have invested time and money in their STR setups and will need flexibility to shift gears.
Granicus, Inc.
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