The bill amends Section 42-63.1-14 of the General Laws concerning "Tourism and Development" to allow owners of residential units to rent their properties for tourist or transient use without interference from municipalities. Specifically, it prohibits cities, towns, or municipalities from enacting any licensing, permitting, zoning, ordinance, rule, or regulation that would prevent owners from offering their units through hosting platforms or any other means. The bill also establishes that any such prohibitive measures are null and void, asserting the legislative intent to occupy the field regarding residential units for tourist use, which is deemed vital to the statewide economy. The provisions of this bill will take effect on January 30, 2025, and will apply retroactively to any municipal actions that have previously denied such rentals.

Additionally, the bill mandates that any short-term rental property listed on a hosting platform must be registered with the Department of Business Regulation, which will maintain an online database of registered units. The registration process requires specific information about the property and its owner, and failure to register will result in civil fines. Hosting platforms are also required to ensure that listings display the current registration number and expiration date, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill aims to streamline the rental process while ensuring compliance with tax regulations and maintaining oversight of short-term rental activities within the state.

Statutes affected:
851: 42-63.1-14