🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Stowe, VT
Stowe’s New Short-Term Rental Registry is Already Paying Off
Stowe’s STR Registry Brings Order—and Faster Emergency Response
It’s been just a few months since Stowe launched its short-term rental registry, and town officials say the early results are promising. Despite an initial plan to wait a year before reviewing the program, the Selectboard got a first look this week at preliminary data showing the registry is improving both safety and communication between the town, property owners, and guests.
The registry, which went live in May, requires all short-term rental (STR) owners to register their properties with the town and provide a local contact who can respond quickly in case of emergencies. The goal was to bring order and accountability to Stowe’s growing STR scene—and it seems to be working.
According to Assistant Town Manager Will Fricke, a total of 1,039 units are now registered, broken down into 604 condominiums, 401 single-family homes, and 34 commercial or apartment properties. Fricke said managing the registry has required more than 150 staff hours, costing the town about $14,500, but the investment has already shown strong returns in improved safety and faster response times.
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Before the registry, local emergency crews—especially the Stowe Fire Department—frequently faced challenges reaching property owners when responding to alarms or emergencies at rental homes. Guests often had no way to contact the host, particularly if the owner lived out of town. “At 2 a.m., there seems to be a lot of reluctance for someone to answer the phone,” Assistant Fire Chief Scott Reeves said during an earlier Selectboard meeting.
The new system changed that. Now, every STR owner must list a contact who can respond within 45 minutes or install an emergency key box. Since then, the fire department has responded successfully to about 40 calls, each time able to reach a local contact without delay.
For town leaders, this registry isn’t just about compliance—it’s about peace of mind. By mapping the local STR landscape and requiring reachable representatives, Stowe has gained valuable data and reduced the confusion that once plagued emergency responses.
While the Selectboard initially thought it might take a year to see results, early data suggests the system is already achieving its goals. The program has improved public safety, increased accountability, and provided the town with the clearest snapshot yet of its booming short-term rental market.
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