Board approves special-exception for unhosted short-term rental at 85 Westview Lane

The Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to approve a special-exception request to operate an unhosted short-term rental at 85 Westview Lane, Lancaster, finding the property met the county’s short-term rental requirements under Article 29 of the Lancaster County Zoning Ordinance.

Planning staff told the board the property is on two parcels (to be treated as one for the purpose of the exception), the septic permit allows three bedrooms, the applicant provided a parking plan that staff deemed adequate and proof of general commercial liability insurance was on file. Staff also said a certificate of occupancy is on record and that the property is registered for the 2025 calendar year; hosting platforms (VRBO and Airbnb) automatically collect and remit transient occupancy taxes to the county.

Applicant Sadia Arnold addressed the board and said she and her husband have restored the home and been good neighbors, adding most guests have been local residents or family visiting the area. Planning staff noted sheriff’s dispatch logs and that adjacent neighbor communications had been reviewed; at the time of the staff memo there were no open complaints beyond earlier communications.

A district supervisor moved to approve the special exception for the unhosted short-term rental at 85 Westview Lane; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call.

The approval is contingent on continued compliance with Article 29 requirements and limits operation to one short-term rental unit on the combined parcels.