Manti council hears neighborhood complaints and host perspectives on short‑term rental rules

The Manti City Council held a public hearing April 15 on a proposed short‑term rental (STR) ordinance aimed at protecting neighborhoods while allowing resident hosts to rent parts of their homes.

The mayor said the ordinance's purpose is to prevent whole neighborhoods becoming dominated by transient rentals and to reduce disruptions such as noise and parking problems. Staff explained the draft includes quiet hours, a requirement that an owner or on‑site representative be available 24/7 while a property is rented, and a cap on how many STRs can operate within geographic quadrants.

A planning and zoning committee member summarized the complaints that motivated the ordinance: "It was insane, and it's impossible to get a decent night's sleep without the parties," she said, describing late‑night parties, trash and parking problems at addresses where whole houses had been converted to vacation rentals.

Hosts and other residents said STRs can benefit the community when owners are engaged and responsible. "It will be nice to be able to provide guests with a copy for the city ordinance so they know the rule isn't just coming from us as a host," one long‑time operator wrote in an emailed public comment, noting they already post quiet hours and no‑street‑parking rules.

Discussion at the hearing focused on occupancy limits and how to count occupants. Some council members suggested limiting the number of adults rather than imposing a flat cap (the draft proposed a 10‑person occupancy cap), while others proposed using industry standards (for example, two people per bedroom plus one extra). Council members also raised the question of whether very large properties functionally operate as lodging rather than STRs and how the ordinance should treat those cases.

Staff asked residents and owners to provide specific feedback before the council takes up the ordinance for a vote in May. The hearing closed after public comment and the council reserved changes for the drafting process.

The next procedural step is staff review of submitted suggestions and potential adjustments to occupancy definitions and grandfathering language ahead of the May council meeting.