A Connecticut Appellate Court was given its first opportunity to address local regulations in relation to short-term rentals through websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. The court rejected the defendants’ argument that short-term rentals are barred under regulations implemented in 1994, but also concluded that the case should have been remanded to the zoning board to determine if the property fulfilled the other requirements of the regulations.

The defendants, the Pine Orchard Association Zoning Board of Appeals, Michael B. Hopkins and Jacqueline C. Wolff, appealed the judgment of the trial court, which reversed the board’s decision to uphold the zoning officer’s order for Francis Wihbey, the plaintiff, to cease and desist from using his property for short-term rentals, the opinion said.