A new solution to address the shortage of accommodation options for tourists in Lincoln is in the works.
The town is looking for the community’s input through a survey available online to develop a licensing and application framework to regulate the operations of short-term accommodations (STAs) in the municipality.
Some benefits of this upcoming implementation, according to the town’s posting on its community input portal, Speak Up Lincoln, include more investment, attracting more tourists, increasing revenue for local businesses, extra revenue for the town — which could minimize the burden on taxpayers — and a future implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax to support tourism marketing.
STAs are described by the town as “the commercial use of an entire dwelling unit, of the principal residence, that may be rented for a period up to 28 consecutive days for use as temporary accommodation and used as an occasional or seasonal resident dwelling for recreation, rest, and relaxation.”
Matt Bruder, Lincoln’s director of planning and development, said the licensing and application frameworks are being developed to deal with some concerns that are usually caused by STAs, such as excessive noise, safety, and parking concerns.
The accommodation, which may be rented for a limit of 28 consecutive days, cannot include a hotel, boarding house dwelling, or similar commercial or institutional use. Its resident is not allowed to reside in the unit while the short-term accommodation is being rented.