A proposed law to regulate short-term rentals in the Village of New Paltz has the support of renters in nearby Kingston. Members of the Kingston Tenants Union have endorsed the idea of largely restricting airbnb-style rentals to commercial districts in New Paltz, except in cases when the renting is being done by someone who actually lives on the premises. In their email of support, union members say that the number of these rentals in Ulster County is triple that in any other upstate county, which they believe contributes to rent and sale prices too high for residents to afford. Moreover, they claim that corporate executives engage in lobbying efforts to thwart regulatory efforts like this one.
Trustees decided to keep the public hearing open to ensure that all perspectives are considered before voting on the law.