West Stockbridge — Short-term rentals (STRs) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are now allowed within town borders.
The significant changes to the town’s zoning bylaws—along with four other Town Warrant items—were approved by voters on October 20, with the STR proposition passing unanimously and the ADU proposition bringing out a few “no” votes.
The Town Warrant was signed August 20.
STR, ADU bylaws
At the meeting, Planning Board Chair Dana Bixby explained Article 1 covering ADUs, or owner-occupied rentable units of up to 900 square feet or half the size of a primary residence on the property, whichever is smaller. Pursuant to state legislation enacted earlier this year, an ADU is protected and must be guaranteed by municipalities “as a matter of right.” However, West Stockbridge’s provision allows larger units with a zoning permit, and, contrary to the town’s previous regulation governing such types of zoning, a detached structure can now qualify as an ADU.
Bixby clarified that the purpose of the bylaw is to promote affordable housing in the area as well as facilitate a way for residents to gain income, allowing them to reside in their homes as property values continue to increase. The provision also permits residents to live in the detached structure and rent out the main home.
Article 2 permits STRs locally for the first time and defines the zoning category as rentals of 31 days or less, similar to Airbnb or VRBO sites, Bixby said. As of October 21, 2025, Airbnb’s site shows numerous rentals in West Stockbridge. “It’s a huge business,” Bixby said of the zoning category.
The new provision mandates that STR owners register their rental at town hall and pay an annual fee. Although such units are allowed to be rented for a cumulative total of 80 days per year, a zoning permit is needed for rentals cumulatively totaling 80 to 120 days per year, with cumulative annual rentals of more than 120 days banned. Bixby explained that the article was crafted in relation to the impact the rental may have on the neighborhood, with longer rentals having a greater effect on the community and thus requiring more oversight by way of a permit hearing. The Planning Board also sought to balance the income gained by residents with deterring housing from being removed from the “normal rental market,” she said, as well as discouraging corporations from buying up such properties and running those rentals “more like a hotel” in a residential neighborhood.
STRs cannot be used for commercial events such as weddings. The new provision allows the units to be promulgated by full-time residents as well as family members of former West Stockbridge residents under certain circumstances.
New West Stockbridge citizen Renee McCormick had been a part-time resident for more than three decades. Her long-term plan was to become a full-time resident when she turned 75 years old, a goal she recently achieved. McCormick voiced concern that allowing STRs to be maintained by an individual who did not live in town but whose family had previously resided in West Stockbridge was “not very egalitarian.”
“When defining who is able to operate an Airbnb, it seems like the definition of a full-time resident has been greatly loosened by saying, ‘If a member of your family lived here, then you can do it,’” she said to The Berkshire Edge. She addressed the Select and Planning boards at the session with similar comments.
Bixby responded that the regulation accommodates a real-life situation in which an in-town home had been in family ownership continuously for at least 30 years.
Both articles required a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 3, which required a simple majority, detailed the division between STR administration activities and the separate function of a zoning inspector who enforces the regulations. STR owners are given a four-month grace period to register their units. The measure passed with one opposing vote.
Remaining articles
Article 4 increased the Zoning Board of Appeals from two associate members to three associate members, in addition to the five members on its dais. The action required a two-thirds vote and was approved unanimously.
According to Town Administrator Marie Ryan, Articles 5 and 6 were added to the Town Warrant to clear up inadvertent mistakes made in the text of the measures during the last town vote, indicating a $46,850 increase and offset in the town’s water and sewer budget that is covered by user fees. When asked as to the nature of the problem, Ryan responded that the dollar amounts were correct, but the issue was one of swapping out “sewer” and “water” titles for each item. The articles were approved unanimously.
