Greendale adopts short-term rental ordinance, keeps two-night minimum after amendment fails

The Village of Greendale Board of Trustees voted to repeal Section 17.363 (regulation of tourist homes) and recreate it as a short-term rentals ordinance (PC 2503) that aligns local terminology with state statute, establishes a one-time village permit, and adds a revocation procedure. The new ordinance also explicitly bans the use of RVs, campers, tents or similar temporary lodging on properties offered as short-term rentals.

Manager (staff member) told the board the village must align with state law in several respects, including that the village cannot limit the number of short-term rentals, and that a prior local requirement for a designated local agent (if the owner lived more than 40 miles away) was invalidated by a court ruling in another municipality. The proposed village process creates a one-time inspections-department permit that functions like a simple occupancy permit; the health department will continue to administer an annual sanitation/health license through the contracted Southwest Suburban Health Department.

The Plan Commission recommended a minimum rental duration of two nights to discourage one-night "party-house" rentals. During debate trustees and local owners offered mixed views. Trustee Olathe and others said many hosts already use two-night minimums and worried a strict minimum could reduce service for families with last-minute needs; Trustee McFall, Trustee Matt (surname not specified) and others pressed for the two-night minimum as a prevention tool. Police Chief Rosenau said the department had received about one noise complaint he could recall in the past year related to a short-term rental but had not experienced widespread problems.

Trustee Unger moved an amendment to remove the two-night minimum; the board voted the amendment down (recorded votes: Trustee Barbian and Trustee Ouellette voted yes on the amendment; several trustees including Sowell, Anger, Beckmeyer, McFaul voted no). The original ordinance, including the two-night minimum, then passed on roll call (recorded as majority ayes, with at least one no recorded).

The new ordinance adds: a village permit issued by the Director of Inspection Services (one-time occupancy-style inspection), an explicit reference to the relevant state statute and the health department license, a revocation process for village permits, the two-night minimum rental duration, and a prohibition on temporary lodging such as RVs or tents on rental properties. Staff will publish permit application procedures and coordinate inspection steps with the health department.