MATTHEWS, N.C. — After months of back and forth, the town of Matthews has officially updated its ordinance relating to short-term rentals.
The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to adopt new restrictions, as outlined in the agenda.
The changes impact Matthews Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The UDO previously did not have a definition for short-term rentals. Now, they're included in the "Bed & Breakfast" section.
Those rentals will also be limited to room rentals, as opposed to whole-house rentals.
This is something long-term resident Patricia Robinson has been pushing for for months, since WCNC Charlotte first spoke with her in February.
"It's just been a nightmare," Robinson said. "It's been, it's just not a good thing for Matthews."
She decided to push for more restrictions after her daughter and son-in-law began having repeated issues with short-term rentals in their neighborhood.
"Even downtown is one thing, but not right next door to families," Robinson said. "It's not safe. You got little kids. We got kids all over our neighborhood, and you got these strangers coming in. You don't know who they are. And like I said, the Airbnb next door to my daughter, it's like a hotel."
However, Airbnb owner Ian Goldstein isn't happy.
"We're in the 96% occupancy rate," Goldstein said. "People love it, and they love the Town of Matthews, and they want to come visit."
His short-term rental is grandfathered in and will not be impacted by the new rule. However, whole-house rentals like his won't be able to open in the future.
He said this is a big problem for the future of Matthews' growth.
"The millennial generation of bed and breakfast is here. Do you want it in Matthews?" Goldstein said.
He added he expects the town will face litigation after this decision.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.