Council eases renter decal requirements on first reading to accept lease verification instead of matching driver's‑license address

Council approved first reading of Ordinance 2026‑04 to simplify issuance of renter decals by eliminating the requirement that a renter's registration and driver's license list the same address as the leased property. The change is intended to make decal issuance more practical for seasonal renters and owners whose primary residence is elsewhere.

City staff said they will continue to verify tenancy with leases. "A lot of time, we'll verify the lease," a staff member said in the discussion, noting that the city limits decals and uses different sticker colors to distinguish renter access from owner privileges. Council and staff discussed edge cases (owners with out‑of‑state primary addresses and drivers in rental cars) and confirmed the proposed change does not alter beach‑access rules for neighboring jurisdictions.

The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously and will return for final reading next month.

Sources: City Attorney and staff presentation on Ordinance 2026‑04 (SEG 2727–2891).