LEWES, Del. - Lewes City Council has asked the Planning Commission to review possible changes to the town’s code in response to concerns about short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
City officials are taking a closer look at residency requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) after concerns were raised about the growing use of these units as short-term rentals.
The request comes after reports that both the primary residence and the ADU on some properties are being used as short-term rentals, a practice not allowed under current regulations.
Kevin Keane, member of the Lewes Planning comission, told CoastTV, “The mayor and city council asked us to take a look at some of the issues that have arisen since the passage of the ordinance regarding homeownership and those kinds of things, and whether or not there’s a restriction right now that you have to live on one of the properties one of the buildings on the property.”
City officials are taking a closer look at residency requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) after concerns were raised about the growing use of these units as short-term rentals.
City Council also plans to create a committee specifically focused on ADUs and host a public workshop to gather feedback and address any misunderstandings about the small housing units.
The effort is part of an ongoing conversation about how to regulate short-term rentals while preserving the character of local neighborhoods.