2020 Report: Regulations & Impacts in Vermont
Excerpt of the conclusion from a May 2020 report conducted by students at Dartmouth College under the direction of professors in the Rockefeller Center.
“Short-term rentals contribute positively to the Vermont tourism industry. Guests who use intermediaries like Airbnb and VRBO patronize local businesses, such as restaurants, and contribute to secondary revenue streams for their hosts. Short-term rentals are not regulated like the traditional hotel and restaurant industry. An agreement between Airbnb and the Vermont state legislature allows the intermediary to remit Meals and Rooms taxes. However, the state does not possess a comprehensive list of short-term rentals. This creates challenges around health and safety regulation and additional taxation. The recommendations outlined in this document include mandatory registration, implementation of insurance requirements, statewide uniformity of regulation, restriction of the market, expansion of taxation. It is difficult to predict the economic impact of the proposed recommendations. The Vermont state legislature may wish to consider such impact and feasibility before it implements these proposed recommendations.”