WHAT CAN YOU DO

The endless popularity of Nantucket and the ability to work remotely has the potential to impact noise, traffic, outdoor lighting, local housing and general quality of life considerations on this special and fragile island. Any worsening of these problems is due to many factors, and as owners who host new island guests every year, we need to do our part to improve the situation. Not all problems can be legislated away ,and it is for this reason we, as short term rental owners, are taking the initiative to make improvements.

• You will find at the link below, a draft “Pledge” to include in your lease/online listing platform along with one for your guests, in your welcome book.  Customize it to your home and your neighborhood
• Also accessible at the link is  a draft pledge to give your neighbors, so they are aware of your 'house rules' and can support self-policing.

Also, we would ask all owners to pro-actively screen their prospective renters, both for the protection of their own property as well as to maintain the quality of neighborhood life. Voters have approved reasonable STR regulations that are already in place.  However, if we are unable to self-regulate in some manner,  unreasonable regulation and restrictions may be forced upon us. Thus, let’s try the “Good Neighbor” approach as a first step. What does the “Nantucket Good Neighbor Pledge” mean in practice?

1. Screening your guests and make sure they understand the fragility of Nantucket and the respect it deserves while visiting.
2. Communicating to the importance of limiting:

• Outdoor Noise: Nantucket is a peaceful place, with a vibrant downtown. Honor the town’s noise by-laws as appropriate to your neighborhood. If you want to make noise, do it at one of our many fine establishments in the Town core. Have fun, but realize we are all on a small island where noise travels easily and farther than you think!

• Exterior Lighting: Nantucket is blessed with the celestial wonder of the Milky Way and meteor showers that can no longer be seen in many places. By facing exterior lighting downward and using it only when and where it’s absolutely needed, we can enjoy our skies and protect our wildlife.

• Traffic: There are many ways to see Nantucket beyond a car for those that are able.  Bike paths and the NRTA/WAVE (free in 2025!) connect every major road, and there are hundreds of acres of trails and paths that intersect numerous conservation areas. Nantucket is also such a size, that biking or walking, when possible, could be faster than driving. Uber, Lyft, and a plethora of local taxis service the island, call one and ditch the need to park!

Leave only Footprints: Nantucket is here for all of us, and continuing the tradition of

beautiful landscapes can only happen with our commitment to leaving only footprints

when enjoying Nantucket. The island was left beautifully for US to enjoy; Let’s do that!

• Learn about the existing Nantucket STR bylaws and regulations and share with your neighbors and service providers. These Short Term Rental Regulations went into effect on 1 January 2023.  Those affected need to know what those regulations mean to them and their homes and businesses.  

1. The Nantucket STR Registry portal launched in March 2024.  See our detailed FAQs and the Town's STR Registry Portal for more information.  
2. As a result of the passage of the STR General Bylaw (Chapter 123), the Board of Health and Select Board were empowered to enact STR regulations which govern how the STR registry to operate and be enforced along with its fees and penalties.  These regulations can be found in Chapter 338 of the town code.
3. These regulations provide a Hotline (508) 315-6372 to report any noise, safety, outdoor lighting or parking violations at a Short Term Rental home.  Reported incidents will be routed to the appropriate enforcement organization to be vetted and if a violation is confirmed, hearings, fines and possible loss of STR certificate for up to 3 years is possible.

The initial implementation will seek to begin (11/1/2024) enforcement of:

• the existing STR registration and regulation process that was approved at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and approved by the Attorney General
•  2023 Special Town Meeting (STM) Article 3 opting in to the 3% Community Impact Fee to be assessed on all Nantucket STRs where the owner operates more than 1 on different properties (in effect 1 October 2024)
• 2024 ATM Article 60 (disallowing corporate owned STRs) which was approved
• 2024 STM Article 5 (strengthening the definition of corporations to exclude Real Estate Investment Trusts and Partnerships taxed as a corporation where all the owners are not natural persons

1. If you currently or plan to operate an STR  you must register by 1 November of the year prior to operation.  Since the registry was not live before the due date for 2024, registry requirements have been clarified for this season with registration prior to 1 November 2025 covering your 2025 registration.  2025 registration certificates are now available on the GovOS website by logging into your account using guidance that can be found here.
2. If you have not yet been contacted by the town, it is still your responsibilty to call the GOVOS hot line to get an account created so you can register.
3. If you own more than 1 STR property, you must begin collecting the 3% Community Impact Fee for leases in effect as of 1 October 2024.  The fee must be remanded to MA DOR along with the room occupancy excise taxes of 11.6%. 
4. Take the time to read the requirements and make sure you have posted required information for your guests in a folder in your home, posted exit signs in all bedrooms, provided information about the location of fire extinguishers and local contact information for issues or concerns.  Your rental listing must contain both your MA and Nantucket STR certificate numbers.

We will do our best to keep our FAQs page updated with the latest information about the STR registry launch and when the online live link is available, it will be posted below.