Riley County adopts short‑term rental rule changes, requires in‑person response to complaints

Riley County commissioners on Feb. 23 approved Resolution No. 022326, adopting text amendments to the county’s Land Development Regulations that tighten the rules governing short‑term rentals (STRs) and the obligations of their responsible agents. The motion passed on a voice vote after planning staff summarized the changes.

Planning staff told the board the main change narrows the purpose of the 500‑foot separation provision, focusing waiver criteria on traffic and parking impacts rather than a broad, undefined list of factors. Staff said the revision is intended to reduce the potential for “arbitrary enforcement” by limiting the considerations a decision‑maker may weigh when granting waivers.

Staff also recommended removing ambiguous language that said a responsible agent “be able to” respond to complaints. The revised text, as presented to the board, states that the responsible agent “must affirmatively respond to complaints in person within 1 hour of notification of such complaint,” a requirement staff described as stronger and clearer than the prior phrasing.

Planning staff said the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board and the Riley County Planning Board held hearings in October and November and later unanimously recommended approval of the revised language. A staff memo noted the change was aimed at directly addressing traffic and parking—identified as the primary local concerns—rather than listing unrelated criteria.

Following the presentation, a motion to adopt Resolution 022326 was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor (voice vote: “Aye”). The resolution was presented as an amendment to the county’s land development regulations and was approved as presented.

The county did not announce an implementation timetable or additional enforcement guidance at the meeting. Residents with questions about how the new rules will be applied were directed to county planning staff for clarification and next steps.