Smithfield’s Town Council voted unanimously to approve the historic district’s fifth short-term rental.

Smithfield changed its zoning ordinance in 2020 to allow homeowners the option of leasing their residences as short-term rentals through booking services like Airbnb and Vrbo, provided the homeowner obtains a town business license and signs a short-term rental affidavit. The ordinance allows “by right” use as a short-term rental for up to 104 nights per calendar year for owner-occupied homes, and requires a special use permit for anything more than that.

Former Town Councilman Jim Collins is the latest to apply for such a permit. The property in question is 328 Main St. Collins said he currently leases out the property as a long-term rental, which the town defines as 30 days or more, and is looking for the flexibility to offer short-term rentals.

Collins told the council his property would not necessarily operate as a year-round short-term rental as its primary function, but rather the special use permit is “another tool in our toolbox” that would allow more flexibility “when we have gaps” between longer stays.

The property is adjacent to the circa-1903 Johnson house at 330 Main St., which is under conversion to operate as Feathered Elegance Boutique & Tea Room, in which Collins’ wife is a partner.

Councilman Jeff Brooks, who cast the lone dissenting vote in 2023 on a similar application for a house on Institute Street, said he was more amenable to the location on Main Street, which already has several historic homes that have been converted to businesses.

“If that were truly in the residential section, Grace Street, for instance, or Cedar (Street), there’s no question I would be voting this down,” Brooks said.

Councilman Darren Cutler and Vice Mayor Bill Harris agreed that Main Street is the most ideal location for short-term rentals.

“We do not want to go down that slippery slope and we do not want to populate the historic district off of Main Street, which already has a number of places where people can rent and stay,” Harris said.

Among the other lodging options on Main Street are the Victorian-era Mansion on Main and the 18th century Smithfield Inn, both of which operate as bed-and-breakfast hotels.

The council has approved three other short-term rentals to exceed 104 days, all in the downtown area. A fourth operating on Mason Street was already operating and grandfathered as of the 2020 change.