MAYVILLE – Regulations for short-term rental properties have dominated many communities in Chautauqua County. Mayville is the latest to discuss the topic.

During the Mayville Village Board meeting, Trustee Mark Perry said some residents have expressed to him concerns regarding Airbnbs. “It’s not an issue that’s coming; it’s already here,” he said.

Some of the complaints Perry has heard from local residents is renters using up dock space when they’re not supposed to and bon fires that are too large. “I’m not looking for a police state; what I’m looking for is maybe a registry of who is doing this (renting) and how we as a village can give them rules on do’s and don’t’s for conformance in what our village would like to see happen,” he said.

Perry said he thinks the village’s planning board should put together some rules and regulations for short-term rental properties.

County Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, said his local town government requires those who rent out to short term users register and follow specific regulations. “Being a neighbor of an Airbnb, I was very grateful for that,” he said.

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According to Proctor, Mina requires owners of short term rental properties to stay there for a period of time, to prevent people who don’t live locally from buying properties and renting them out without ever visiting the town.

Trustee Bill Ward said many communities have already updated their rules and regulations for short-term rentals. He recommended the planning board look them over and make some recommendations. “I think these guidelines actually help these Airbnbs to do their job and to make it more efficient,” he said.

Another issue, Proctor said, is Mina discovered some property owners were renting out establishments that didn’t have enough bedrooms for the amount of people staying there. “If there was a fire, there was going to be a tragedy,” he said.

One resident said she sees that happening in Mayville. She said there’s a lake house with two bedrooms in it but multiple people stay there. The cars end up parking on the side of the road and in public parking lots.

Another resident who has an Airbnb recommends the village work with the county’s Visitor’s Bureau. “It’s good business that we can bring people in and create a better economy here. … You don’t want to be too restrictive but you do want to establish some rules and regulations so no one gets in trouble,” she said.

Ward said he is a member of the Visitor’s Bureau and would bring the topic up there.

Mayville and the town of Chautauqua are currently making a comprehensive plan. Another recommendation was made to have short term rentals become part of that plan.

No final decisions were made.

Cassadaga, Lakewood, town of Dunkirk and Sheridan have all had recent discussions surrounding short-term rentals, with some communities implementing new rules and regulations.