The Mathews County Board of Supervisors will conduct five public hearings during the August meeting, which begins at 6 o’clock tonight, Thursday, Aug. 20, in the historic courthouse on Court Street. The first public hearing will be on changes that are proposed to the ordinance governing short-term rentals. If passed in its entirety, a definition would be added that states that a short-term rental means “the provision of a room or space suitable or intended for occupancy for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes for fewer than thirty (30) consecutive days, in exchange for a charge for occupancy.” Other changes include a requirement that, in order to obtain a zoning permit, a short-term rental must have a business license and must have its occupancy limits determined and approved by the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, a restriction was added prohibiting the use of temporary shelters such as tents, travel trailers and trailered boats as short-term rentals. The regulation req...