🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - West Stockbridge, MA
West Stockbridge to Decide Future of STRs and ADUs at Oct. 20 Town Meeting
Rules, Rentals, and Residences: West Stockbridge to Vote on Housing Balance
All eyes are on West Stockbridge this month as the town gears up for its October 20 Town Meeting, where residents will weigh in on some of the most detailed short-term rental (STR) and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules the community has ever seen. The conversation is about more than zoning codes—it’s about what kind of town West Stockbridge wants to be.
✨ Accessory Dwelling Units
Article 1 proposes clear standards for ADUs—self-contained apartments built on the same lot as a primary home. The measure would bring the town in line with new state rules, allowing ADUs as of right if they’re no bigger than half the main home or 900 square feet. Owners could add larger units with a special permit. Only one ADU per lot would be allowed, and RVs are strictly off the table. Importantly, ADUs could also be rented out as STRs under specific conditions, creating flexibility for homeowners while maintaining neighborhood character.
✨ Short-Term Rentals
Articles 2 and 3 dive deeper into STRs, defining them as rentals of 31 days or fewer. The proposed rules cap STR use at 80 days a year, extendable to 120 days with a special permit. Every STR would need to be registered with the town for $400 upfront and $300 every three years thereafter. Operators must have a local contact who can respond quickly—within two hours for issues and 30 minutes in an emergency.
The articles also carve out firm “don’ts” for STRs: no signs, no weddings or commercial events, no dumpsters, and no hourly rentals. STR operators must be true locals, defined as living in town at least 183 days a year, or having a significant residency history if living elsewhere.
Fines ranging from $150 to $300 per violation, multiplied daily, would back up the rules. Repeat offenders with three violations in a year risk losing their STR license entirely.
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✨ The Bigger Picture
Supporters of the articles say the rules strike the balance between letting homeowners make extra income and ensuring neighborhoods don’t morph into tourist enclaves. The town stresses that the point isn’t to shut down STRs, but to prevent commercial operators from buying up properties and to keep West Stockbridge livable for residents first.
With a 90-day grace period included, the town is signaling it wants compliance, not just punishment. For residents, October 20 is the moment to decide how West Stockbridge will navigate the growing pressure of short-term rentals while keeping its small-town feel intact.
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