Jenkintown’s zoning board denied its first short-term rental request on Thursday, September 24, after residents complained about noise and visitors, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Borough manager George Locke told Glenside Local in June that the ordinance was first approved on April 23, 2025. The first hearing under the ordinance took place on July 23.

A “short term rental” is defined as:

Any rental dwelling unit owned or managed by a person, firm or corporation that is rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, but not more than 120 days in any calendar year. Rooming units and rooming house are included in this definition when rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, but not more 1 than 120 days in any calendar year. Any rental dwelling unit rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days for 120 or more days in any calendar year shall be deemed a hotel. 

Resident Elvira Lindgren told The Inquirer that she and her husband began renting their renovated twin home roughly a year ago, but a next-door neighbor has said the property isn’t suited to Airbnb rentals. The Lindgrens received complaints from two other neighbors as well.

Seven neighbors had signed a document before the meeting attesting they had no problems with the business, The Inquirer said.

The borough’s solicitor is expected to write a written opinion on Lindgren’s case within 45 days, after which she can appeal. In the meantime, Lindgren plans to consider options for longer-term renters such as traveling nurses, The Inquirer said.

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