News
Short-Term Rentals
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Definition & Scope
Definition: Chincoteague classifies a short-term rental as any residential dwelling rented for 30 consecutive days or less.
Target Districts: The focus of the regulatory changes is primarily on R-1 (Residential) districts, which make up a portion of the island's housing stock.
Next Steps and Public Involvement
The Town Council and Planning Commission will schedule joint public hearings before any permanent changes or new ordinances are enacted.
Dates, times, and agendas are posted on the Town of Chincoteague website and published locally in the Eastern Shore Post.
The Town of Chincoteague is considering zoning changes and ordinances to regulate the growing number of short-term rentals (STRs). While initial proposals sought to immediately halt new STR licenses in R-1 residential districts, the Town Council voted on 1 June 2026 to pause the restrictions pending an official housing study to assess their economic impact.
Core Proposals & Status
Temporary Pause: Proposed bans on issuing new STR licenses in R-1 districts are on hold until the town completes a comprehensive study on housing affordability and neighborhood character. [1, 2]
Existing Rentals: Under current proposals, existing STRs would be "grandfathered in" and allowed to continue operations.
Property Sales: Current plans suggest that if a grandfathered property is sold, the new owners will still be allowed to use it as an STR, provided they maintain the property's good standing and obtain a new business license.
Temporary Pause: Proposed bans on issuing new STR licenses in R-1 districts are on hold until the town completes a comprehensive study on housing affordability and neighborhood character. [1, 2]
Existing Rentals: Under current proposals, existing STRs would be "grandfathered in" and allowed to continue operations.
Property Sales: Current plans suggest that if a grandfathered property is sold, the new owners will still be allowed to use it as an STR, provided they maintain the property's good standing and obtain a new business license.
Definition & Scope
Definition: Chincoteague classifies a short-term rental as any residential dwelling rented for 30 consecutive days or less.
Target Districts: The focus of the regulatory changes is primarily on R-1 (Residential) districts, which make up a portion of the island's housing stock.
Next Steps and Public Involvement
The Town Council and Planning Commission will schedule joint public hearings before any permanent changes or new ordinances are enacted.
Dates, times, and agendas are posted on the Town of Chincoteague website and published locally in the Eastern Shore Post.
If you are a property owner or considering buying on the island, it is highly recommended to monitor official town updates.
Tidal Gut, Flooding and Drainage Report
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Gale Glinecki took photos and prepared this summary report following significant rainfall and flooding we experienced on February 29th, March 1st and March 2nd,2024. Please see the full report at this link.
Tidal Gut/Hibiscus Drive Update
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We have been seeking solutions to prevent further erosion of the canal embankment (also known as the tidal gut), which runs parallel to Hibiscus Dr. This year, we sent a Request for Proposal to several civil engineering firms. We also commissioned a Borings Study from John D. Hynes and Associates, Salisbury, MD. For a detailed history of this project, please see President Moira Rankin’s updated report at this link.
You can also review past-President Dianne Ryan's 2019 update report at this link.
Home Sales Disclosure Packages
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Your community association (Section 1, Oyster Bay Community Association) has changed the process for requesting the required disclosure package for home sales. Packages are now being processed by HomeWise Docs. Please see this document for details.
OBCA Section 1 Meeting Minutes
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The Board of Directors has approved making Section 1, Oyster Bay Community Association meeting minutes available only to members. The old "info" page has been renamed "Minutes" and will require a valid login in order to access. (If you click on the "Minutes" link in the navigation bar at the top of the page, you will be presented with a login page if you're not already logged in to the website.)
Trash Pickup
Normal trash pickup day is Wednesday. The truck comes pretty early, so we suggest that you put your cans out the night before. Please see full information here.
Brush Pick-up
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Members are reminded to use the town's quarterly brush pickup service, and remember that the town will not pick up brush from unoccupied community property. If you see anyone dumping on community property, please let a board member know.
And you'll need to call the town office at 757-336-6519 to be put on the schedule for the next pickup.
Bulkead Backfill
Please read this letter from the bulkhead committee regarding important bulkhead maintenance.
Memorial Benches
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Members have the opportunity to contribute to the placement of memorial benches on community property. Rich Ryan will be arranging for the purchase and placement of the benches, and he will acquire the memorial plaques that will be placed on the benches. Plans are to install the benches in the boat ramp area, and along Hibiscus. The donation per bench is $150. It is also possible to share the cost of the bench with another member if that is arranged in advance. Anyone interested in donating should use the Memorial Bench contribution form found on the Resources page of this site.
Pets
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Per the Town of Chincoteague's law, dogs must not be allowed to roam off the property of its owner or custodian while not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control.
Anyone experiencing a problem with a dog should report the incident to the authorities, in this case the Accomack County Animal Control Officer. This is a town issue rather than an Association issue -- you'll need to report issues if you want action.
Members and guests are asked to clean up after their animals and to dispose of the waste properly rather than leaving collected waste anywhere in the community.
Anyone experiencing a problem with a dog should report the incident to the authorities, in this case the Accomack County Animal Control Officer. This is a town issue rather than an Association issue -- you'll need to report issues if you want action.
Members and guests are asked to clean up after their animals and to dispose of the waste properly rather than leaving collected waste anywhere in the community.
Pine Beetles
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A number of the pine trees in the community have been infected by the Southern Pine Beetle. For some really good information, please view Kim May's presentation to the Association at the 2016 Annual Meeting. If you notice any dead or dying pine trees, please notify Beth Baker (documents@sec1obca.com).
Rentals
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The association's rental information fact sheet has been updated and provided to rental agencies for distribution to our summer guests.