City Council formed a subcommittee and took months to study the issue before it enacted rules in 2023 aimed at regulating the practice and protecting neighborhoods where they are being operated.
Now, with summer rapidly approaching, the governing body proposed a major modification that owners of the homes say would likely put them out of business.
Council introduced an ordinance May 22 that would extend the minimum number of nights from three to seven. Councilman Sean McGuigan, who advocated for the change, said it would provide patrons with more time to enjoy what the city has to offer and reduce the number of move-ins/move-outs in residential neighborhoods.
A group of owners has joined together to oppose the change.
Nick Hresko-Staab, spokesman for the 18-member Somers Point Hosts and Residents Coalition, said the change would hurt the owners, many of whom have booked multiple dates for the upcoming summer, as well as business owners and the city through loss of revenue. The city collects 3 percent of all income through an occupancy tax.
A second reading, public hearing and final vote are set for June 12. While that’s longer than usual, since council generally meets every two weeks, because of the calendar there actually were three weeks for the public to digest the proposal and council members to hear from constituents.
Hresko-Staab said three weeks between introduction and a final vote is too short a time to consider such a drastic change. The amendment would go into effect in 30 days.
“If adopted, the amendment would all but eliminate the viability of operating a short-term rental, and the fact that this amendment was proposed without specific reasoning, appropriate time for consideration or supporting research is an alarming failure of the council’s duty to Somers Point citizens,” Hresko-Staab said. “It would have a dramatic and negative impact on existing homeowners who rely on rental income, who have paid for and adhered to the operating guidelines and invested their savings to purchase homes in Somers Point based on the underlying rules set forth by the council two years ago.”
While the vote was 5-2 for introduction, Councilman Kirk Gerety said he would be voting against the ordinance on second reading. That would provide three votes against and four in favor and result in passage of the amendment if the others who voted for introduction — McGuigan, Council President Charlie Haberkorn, Councilman Howard Dill and Councilman Mike Owen — did so again.
Hresko-Staab said the amendment directly contradicts the findings of a formal review commissioned by City Council that determined a three-night minimum is the optimal balance for the local economy and community.
In addition, the Economic Development Advisory Commission voted last week to recommend against the amendment.
“As a full-time resident of Somers Point for the past 12 years, I find the timing and reasoning behind Ordinance 13-2025 deeply concerning,” Chairman Rob Hopkins said. “For years, the city has proudly promoted itself as ‘open for business,’ rolling out the red carpet for developers from here to New York. That’s why it’s confusing — and frankly disappointing — that at the start of our busiest tourism season, City Council is considering an ordinance that could severely impact our local economy.”
Tabling the amendment for further consideration would not only provide more opportunity to study the changes, solicit input and allow for an educated decision, but also would spare owners the trouble of having to cancel bookings already made for the summer.
