100 Feet Matters: A Neighbor’s Plea to Save Our Community

When the house right next to mine became an Airbnb, I thought, “How bad could it be?”  Well, I found out it was REALLY bad.  The drunk screaming in the hot tub started Thursday mornings, went through Thursday afternoon, and into Thursday evening.  Same, but louder, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  EVERY week.  I could hear it in every room in my house – it was like living next to a frat house.

Turned out the house hadn’t gotten a permit because it is only 50 feet from my house, and the County has a requirement that Short Term Tourist Rentals (STTRs) be at least 100 feet from other houses in Residential Areas.  It still took the County 6 months to shut down, while I dealt with debilitating noise-induced migraines.

Last year, they cleared the forest on the other side of my house and built houses there.  They were being advertised as perfect Airbnb locations.  Because of the 100-foot requirement (and the houses being 50 feet apart), we were able to stop that, and some nice young couples were able to find homes during this housing shortage.

If the 100-foot requirement did not exist, the four houses closest to me would all be Airbnbs (on what used to be a sleepy gravel mountain road).  It would be unlivable, with the Heaven I lived in for 18 years turning to hell.

The County tried to eliminate the 100-foot requirement 2 years ago.  Again, last year.  Now it’s DejaVu all over again.  But this time, the options all but guarantee it being eliminated.

What it means for Warren County – we will no longer have residential neighborhoods.  We’ll have 24/7 commercial districts, with more Airbnbs than residents.  Strangers cycling in and out every week right next to our children playing.  The Sheriff’s Office is responding to constant noise, traffic, and other complaints, exponentially more than in real neighborhoods.  Our long-established locally-owned lodging businesses (NOT allowed to operate in Residential areas) will suffer.  When people staying at Airbnbs party 24/7, they are not supporting our local businesses like those staying in traditional lodging and our residents do. With too many other unintended consequences to name.

The 100-foot setback requirement is necessary to protect our neighborhoods, and our local businesses (and even Airbnb owners responsibly following our zoning laws).

The current issue is really about Waivers.  Out-of-state companies are buying up houses (during a housing shortage) and then saying, “I don’t think your 100-foot law should apply to me,” and the County Board is saying, “You get a Waiver, You get a Waiver, You get a Waiver”.

Waivers to the 100-foot setback should exist – but only for a Compelling Reason – ‘emergency-type’ situations.  (“I don’t think the law should apply to me” is NOT a Compelling Reason)

The current law is not broken – don’t eliminate it.

Just Enforce It.  Add strict Guidelines for when a very-rare Waiver might be allowed.

Call Warren County.  Tell them to keep the current 100-foot STTR setback.  Thank you.

Kathleen Mancini
Warren County, VA

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