logo logo logo logo

East Hampton Press / News / Business / Government / 2210353

East Hampton Sees Subpoenas as Powerful Tool Against Airbnb Rental Rules Breakers

icon 1 Photo
The property at 64 South Elroy Drive in Montauk is just one of several that the town has cited for violating rental rules in recent years. But the way the town went about proving the owner was renting repeatedly for short periods of time, which is against town rules intended to preserve residential neighborhoods, is a novel one: they subpoenaed the records for the property on the booking website Airbnb. If a judge rules that was done properly, it could be a useful new tool in the town's push to rein in illegal renting of homes. MICHAEL WRIGHT

The property at 64 South Elroy Drive in Montauk is just one of several that the town has cited for violating rental rules in recent years. But the way the town went about proving the owner was renting repeatedly for short periods of time, which is against town rules intended to preserve residential neighborhoods, is a novel one: they subpoenaed the records for the property on the booking website Airbnb. If a judge rules that was done properly, it could be a useful new tool in the town's push to rein in illegal renting of homes. MICHAEL WRIGHT

authorMichael Wright on Oct 18, 2023
The use of homes in residential neighborhoods for short-term rentals through online booking sites like Airbnb have been vilified by local municipalities as corporate facilitation of illegal activity that is... more

You May Also Like:

Oyster Bay Breaks Down Twice in Montauk, Still on Track for Completion by Close of Dredge Window

Dredge Oyster Bay has twice now broken down in Lake Montauk Inlet, but officials expect ... 5 Dec 2025 by Jack Motz

Three Mile Harbor Road Employer-Owned Workforce Housing Proposal Falters

A proposal to rezone a slice of land on Three Mile Harbor Road for affordable ... by Jack Motz

Conversation Over Raising ADU Caps in East Hampton Starts as Changes Remain in the Pipeline

A string of changes to loosen restrictions on accessory dwelling units will go back to ... 3 Dec 2025 by Jack Motz

Suffolk County Searching for Solutions to Meschutt Beach Vehicle Overflow

Suffolk County is searching for a solution to the chronic overflow of cars at Meschutt Beach County Park during the summer season. On sunny summer days, the throng of beachgoers that flow to the only bayfront county-run bathing beach on the South Fork quickly fill the beach parking lot. Later-arriving cars soon begin to line the roadsides of the access roads and take up parking spots that are intended for boat owners and guests at the nearby Shinnecock Marina, which the county also owns. Last week, the Suffolk County Legislature approved $250,000 in funding for the Department of Public Works ... by Michael Wright

Years-Old Dream of Memorializing the Swamp in Wainscott Returns to Limelight With Town Board Support

Back in the limelight is Tom House’s years-old goal of building a memorial to a ... 2 Dec 2025 by Jack Motz

Three Mile Harbor Road Development Plans Spark Skepticism on East Hampton Town Board Over Employer-Owned Housing

What was meant to be a discussion of rezoning a slice of land on Three ... by Jack Motz

East Hampton Town Democrats for a New Town To Get New Name After Dems Send Cease-and-Desist Letter to Larsen

With a cease-and-desist letter in hand, Mayor Jerry Larsen’s East Hampton Town Democrats for a ... by Jack Motz

Schiavoni Talks Montaukett Recognition, ICE Detentions at LTV Studios Event

State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni said at a recent event at LTV Studios that Governor ... 25 Nov 2025 by Jack Motz

Larsen Launches 2026 Supervisor Bid With Website That Rattles East Hampton Democrats

Not long after kicking off an already fiery campaign, East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen ... by Jack Motz

As Turnover Looms, East Hampton Village Hears $5 Million Pitch To Ensure Village Hall Remains Staffed

East Hampton Village officials are looking at a $5 million plan to alleviate some of ... 24 Nov 2025 by Jack Motz