Lawrence village mulling proposal to ban private pool rentals

Private pool rentals may become illegal in Lawrence as the village considers preemptive action to prevent homeowners from renting out their private facilities. 

“This is a bedroom community and we try to preserve the quality of life of our residents,” village administrator Ronald Goldman said Wednesday.

“The key here is that someone has a private pool on private property and they built it for their family and it's for their family use,” Goldman said.

The proposed local law is scheduled for a hearing on March 14 but Goldman said the hearing will be adjourned until April because the village’s legal counsel, Peter Bee, is still working on the language of the measure. If Lawrence adopts the ban, it will join Brookhaven, which in December banned pool rentals with penalties that include fines and jail time. 

The village code already bans short-term dwelling rentals through online sites such as Airbnb or Vrbo by prohibiting stays of fewer than 60 nights in a residential property. In a Feb. 13 legal notice, the village government announced the hearing and stated that the proposed law was on file at the village clerk’s office and “available for public inspection.”

On Wednesday, Goldman said the proposal was not available for public inspection.

“It's not available yet because it's still under construction,” Goldman said.

Jacqueline Handel, president of the Lawrence Civic Association, said she had been unaware of the issue but was against allowing pool rentals.

"I'd be in favor of banning it," Handel, 81, a tax preparer, said Thursday, speaking for herself and not the association. 

"I see no reason to want any additional people coming into the Village of Lawrence that don't belong here unless they're invited by homeowners," Handel said. "If I invite you to come to my house, you're my guest. But if I rent my swimming pool to a stranger and have no idea who they're bringing into my area, I think that could be frightening."

Goldman said renting of pools in the village is “not a widespread practice” but the village wants to prevent potential problems. He said there "may have been one" instance where there was a situation "almost like a pool party" that galvanized conversations about the issue.

Lawrence is home to 6,745 residents living in 1,962 households, according to the 2022 U.S. Census data, the most recent available.

The website swimply.com, which connects pool owners with pool renters, lists one heated pool in Lawrence to rent for $125 an hour. Photos show an outdoor pool set into the ground surrounded by grass, bushes and trees. The listing says up to 10 guests are allowed, no bathroom available and rules include “No Parties. No Smoking. No Alcohol.”

Another listing in Lawrence offers an indoor pool, spa and party space for $56 an hour. 

“We just want to be certain that we're protecting the interest of neighbors,” Goldman said. “Homes are close to one another and … people expect privacy and they know their neighbors.”