Short-Term Rental Application & Information

Short-term rental (STR) regulations passed on March 8, 2022. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) will be structuring the process for issuing conditional use permits. The BOS understand that many STR owners have already confirmed reservations for the rest of the year. Some of these reservations may be in violation of the regulations – occupancy limits or total number of rental days a year, in particular. The BOS will work with owners to make the transition to the new regulations. Check the Town website regularly for information.

Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit Forms & Applications

STR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • CAN I STILL OPERATE A SHORT-TERM RENTAL (STR) IN FREEDOM?

    Yes, Short-Term Rentals are allowed in all districts with a conditional use permit.

  • CAN I APPLY FOR A PERMIT NOW?

    Yes, the application materials are on the town website.  Click on “RESOURCES” at the top right of the home page.  Towards the bottom of the Zoning-Building Department section on the left side of the page you will see “SHORT-TERM RENTAL APPLICATION & INFORMATION” on the left side.  Click on that to open the application materials for downloading. 

     

  • HOW WILL THE PROCESS WORK?
    1. Complete the application:
      • The basic application that asks you to affirm that you agree to the conditions of the permit and lists other components you must submit (See page 3 of the application)
      • The Life Safety Self Certification which asks you to affirm that you meet the basic life safety requirements listed in the zoning ordinance and provide current photographs of your rental property showing all requirements
      • If you have been renting more than 90 days annually and you would like to be granted grandfather status for your rental level, complete the form Rental Days for Grandfather Status.
    1. Submit the completed application—with all supporting materials to the Code Enforcement Officer at freedomzoning@townoffreedomnh.gov or mail to PO Box 227, Freedom, NH 03836.
    2. Code Enforcement Officer will review the application for completeness:
      • If the application is complete and meets all of the requirements, he will forward the application to the planning board for their review. Because this is a conditional use permit, the planning board’s review is necessary.  This review does not require notice.  The planning boards’ regularly scheduled meetings are on the third Thursday of the month.
      • The Planning board will send their comments on completed applications to the Board of Selectmen for final approval.
      • If the application is not complete, he will send an email to you at the email on the application specifying what it is missing.
      • If the application is complete, but does not meet all of the requirements, see below.
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM NOT ABLE TO MEET ALL PERMIT REQUIREMENTS? I ALREADY HAVE CONFIRMED RENTALS STARTING IN LATE JUNE.

    The Board of Selectmen (BOS) understands that there may need to be a transition this first year.  If you have a problem meeting the permit requirements, please follow this process:

    • Fill out the entire application with all required materials.
    • Make an appointment with the Code Enforcement Office to discuss problem areas. They can be reached at freedomzoning@townoffreedomnh.gov.
    • Code Enforcement Officer will review your application to see if there are ways to address problem areas.  He may include the fire chief if the problems are with life safety requirements.
    • Code Enforcement Officer will make recommendations to the BOS on how to address problem areas.
    • The BOS will review the recommendations and approve them or request a meeting with the owner.

    Please remember that the goals of these regulations are to protect water quality, avoid injury from fire or other dangers, and to protect residential neighborhoods.  While the BOS will try to resolve problems and allow owners to rent their homes this summer, it may not be possible to find short-term work-arounds to all problems.

STR Reference Materials