West Hartford Panel Sends Short-Term Rental Rules to Council

West Hartford's Community Planning & Economic Development Committee has drafted an ordinance governing short-term rentals, and the town manager says it will reach the council agenda soon. Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the proposal is "moving forward at an upcoming council agenda" after committee discussion on Wednesday. The meeting did not set a date for council consideration.

Corporation Counsel Dallas Dodge told the committee the ordinance would "remove any doubt that the litigation may have introduced." At least two lawsuits over short-term rental disputes are pending in West Hartford, with the newest filed earlier this month. Dodge said the measure would not legalize any current short-term rental, describing it instead as a temporary license rather than zoning approval. He added that it "creates no grandfathered or vested rights, and it does not waive any enforcement action that the town might bring under its zoning enforcement code."

The dispute dates to May, when West Hartford issued a cease-and-desist notice to Alexander and Lisa Khan, stating that rentals shorter than 30 days are barred in single-family areas. The Khans appealed, arguing the statutes do not say that, and the Board of Zoning Appeals rejected their appeal in September. The Khans filed suit in October, alleging the board abused its discretion. They said they pursued their property after an October 2025 ruling that reversed the town's prohibition on short-term rentals on Raymond Road; that case is now before the Appellate Court.

The draft ordinance would require operators to keep a guest registry and would create a temporary license for rentals already running in violation of zoning. It would bar operators, guests and visitors from street parking, directing them instead to driveways, garages, parking lots or metered town spaces. Councilwoman Deb Polun asked how enforceable the parking rule would be, and Dodge said enforcement would likely proceed on a complaint basis.

Dodge said the proposal is tied to the outcome of the litigation. "I think it returns the decision to the council. When the litigation is over, you will be able to decide on a clear record whether this is a use that West Hartford wants to allow and on what terms," he said.

The committee met Wednesday to review the draft. No council date has been scheduled.