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Senate rejects statewide limits on local short‑term rental rules, 11–23
Summary
After extended debate, the Senate voted down a bill that would have constrained local regulation of short‑term rentals and classed short‑term rentals as nontransient residential use for zoning and building code purposes.
The Idaho Senate voted against Senate Bill 11‑62 on April 1 after a lengthy floor debate about property rights, local control and housing impacts.
Sponsor Senator C. Coho (recognized on the floor as sponsor) argued the bill would protect property rights and tourism revenue and prevent local ordinances that he said had the practical effect of prohibiting short‑term rentals. “This bill simply takes existing code and provides some clarity, some side rails, if you will, to short term rental owners,” the sponsor said (remarks at 9:846–9:875).
Opponents said the measure would undercut local governments’ ability to address housing supply and neighborhood stability. Senator Michelle Wintrow described dense clusters of short‑term rentals in Boise’s North End and urged local controls to allow cities to assess local impacts: “Every city is a little bit different. And I'm just asking that we look at it that way so cities and localities can utilize the elected officials they have in those areas” (remarks at 10:062–10:096).
Debate included a series of amendments and clarifications that returned some zoning authority to local governments, but senators remained divided over business‑license provisions and other regulatory points. Dozens of senators declared potential conflicts where they owned or managed short‑term rentals and those were noted under Senate rule 39H.
On final passage the roll call was 11 ayes and 23 nays (1 absent/excused). The bill failed to secure a majority and will not advance from the Senate (roll call recorded at 11:551–11:569).
