Council committee approves zoning amendment allowing two-year administrative permit denial for unpermitted short-term rentals

The Planning and Public Works Committee on Jan. 22 approved an amendment to the county’s Zoning and Land Development Regulations to add an enforcement mechanism targeting short-term rentals (STRs) that operate without required permits.

Planning staff summarized the change: "This amendment adds 1 for SDR properties operating without a permit. It would allow the zoning and planning director to administratively deny SDR permit applications for up to 2 years from when a violation was issued," staff said during the committee briefing.

Staff told the committee that the Planning Commission recommended approval on Dec. 8. Staff also reported that public input at the planning commission hearings included 11 comments in support, two in opposition, and two public speakers in favor. The amendment does not alter the county’s existing civil-ticketing authority for violations, staff said; staff noted that current ticketing can assess amounts such as $1,087 with per-day, per-violation authority.

Councilmember Sasse asked whether the county maintains a numerical cap on short-term rentals. Planning staff said a cap was considered in 2017–18 but the current system relies on zoning-district rules instead: some residential zoning allows limited home rentals up to 72 days per year, and full-year commercial guest-house operations are allowed only in nonresidential districts by special exception.

The committee approved the Planning Commission recommendation by voice vote.

Ending: The amendment moves forward following committee approval; staff noted the amendment was noticed as required and the ordinance will follow the county’s normal adoption process.