Council reviews draft short‑term rental permit; asks staff for definitions, enforcement plan

City council members on a routinely scheduled meeting reviewed a draft ordinance to permit and regulate short‑term rentals (STRs) in New Franklin, including a proposed $250 application fee, proof of $1,000,000 liability coverage, annual fire inspection and local contact information for 24/7 complaint response.

The draft set basic operational rules and application requirements: a site and floor plan, identification of other STRs owned by the applicant in town, proof of insurance and a local contact who can respond to complaints. It would limit occupancy to two people per bedroom plus two additional persons (with minors treated separately) and prohibit on‑site advertising signage, recreational vehicles and special events such as weddings. The draft also proposes that permits expire each January 31 and be renewed annually.

Why this matters: Council members described the proposal as an attempt to balance property‑owner rights with neighborhood character and public safety. Council discussion focused on enforceability and the city’s capacity to process and inspect applications if numerous STRs appear.

Council direction and outstanding questions - Council asked staff to return with specific legal and operational advice on: a definition of “bedroom” tied to code or building standards; whether existing STRs would be grandfathered or require a new permit; how to treat units that share driveways or walls; and whether a 25‑foot setback or a 300‑foot spacing rule is feasible or lawful. - Staff was directed to consult the fire and police departments about inspection capacity and enforcement and to prepare a draft application and administrative rules the zoning administrator could apply. - The mayor said staff would seek more information from state and other municipalities and expected to bring more detail to a future meeting.

Proposed fees and compliance mechanics - The draft proposes a $250 permit fee intended to cover city processing and enforcement costs. The mayor noted draft state legislation under discussion in Columbus would cap local permit fees at $20, a level he criticized as insufficient to cover municipal workload: “they wanted to cap permit fees to $20, which is you might as well not pay anything,” he said. - The draft would require hosts to collect and remit applicable occupancy and sales taxes and to maintain a local phone contact within 10 miles. Hosts must pass an annual fire inspection prior to initial issuance and each renewal.

Enforcement and appeals - The draft lists grounds for denial or revocation including material misrepresentation, criminal activity on the property, unpaid city taxes, and a documented pattern of calls for service that indicates threats to safety or repeated nuisance behavior. The draft would allow appeals to the board of zoning appeals within 20 days of a denial or revocation.

Next steps - Council asked staff to circulate a concise, one‑page summary of the draft so prospective buyers and hosts can understand the rules before submitting applications. Staff will compile the requested legal and department‑level guidance and return with a revised draft at a future meeting for additional public comment and formal readings.

Ending: Council did not vote on the draft at this meeting; members instructed staff to gather the technical definitions and enforcement plans requested and to coordinate with fire, police and the zoning administrator before scheduling a formal vote.