County staff steps up short-term-rental registration after lodgers tax adoption

County staff updated the Planning and Zoning Commission on an ongoing short-term-rental registration effort tied to the county’s lodgers tax and short-term-rental rules. Janine (staff) told commissioners the department identified properties advertised on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO and sent letters to owners who were not registered; staff estimated roughly 100 letters were sent and said about 65–70 property owners have since registered. Staff said many unpermitted conversions (for example, garages turned into living spaces) require building inspections to ensure they meet code before final registration. Staff explained the sequence: an accessory dwelling or converted structure often requires a Special Use Permit (SUP) for land-use authorization; if the owner advertises a unit as a short-term rental, a separate short-term-rental registration, liability insurance and an inspection are required under the county ordinance. The county’s short-term-rental rules include limits on occupancy, noise and a required emergency contact and permit number to be posted for neighbors. Commissioners raised implementation questions: whether the lodgers tax and registration apply to non-structural offerings such as Harvest Host or Hipcamp spots (where RVs or tents use private land). Staff said the county would review the ordinance language for tourist-lodging definitions. Commissioner Bill suggested adding a time limit to SUP approvals to allow periodic formal review; staff agreed to add UDC amendments to the department’s fall work plan and expect to return with proposals in the coming months. Staff noted enforcement steps include outreach letters, registration follow-up by phone or email as available, building inspections for conversions and referral to code enforcement if a property fails to register or comply.