Richland County committee approves Nathan Perkins’ short-term rental conditional-use request

The Richland County Natural Resources Committee voted to approve a conditional-use application from Nathan Perkins to operate a short-term rental on property in Forest Township.

Perkins told the committee he already has a state permit for the dwelling and asked the committee to approve the use under the county zoning process. Committee members reviewed the application, confirmed township approval was on file, and voted to approve the conditional use. Committee discussion noted the county is drafting a separate short-term rental ordinance with a licensing fee and that, if a future county license fee is lower than the one paid under the current process, the committee could consider refunding any difference.

Committee members and staff said the application must still go to the full county board for final action. The committee recorded no named roll-call votes during the meeting; the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee also discussed how a pending county ordinance could change the long-term administrative path for short-term rentals, saying future applicants might be registered under a licensing system rather than the conditional-use route. For this application, members said the committee must decide based on the zoning rules and materials as submitted at the time of review.

Less immediate details discussed included whether any separate county license fee should be charged and whether applicants who already paid conditional-use costs should receive a refund if the county later adopts a lower licensing fee. Staff said refunds could be handled if and when a different licensing scheme is adopted.

The committee recorded no additional conditions on the permit during the meeting.