Verona council weighs licensing, stronger enforcement for short-term rentals after resident complaints

Verona Common Council members on Monday, March 11, 2025, heard multiple public comments about short-term rental activity in the Cathedral Point neighborhood and discussed expanding enforcement tools, including a possible licensing program for short-term rental operators.

The issue surfaced during the public-comment portion, when Jim Hansen, a member of the Cathedral Point Homeowners Association, said he supported “any more restrictions” the city adopts and offered neighborhood help with enforcement. Resident Ben Norman said two short-term rental units opened next to his home in the last 18 months and described repeated late-night parties, parking congestion and trash. “We’ve had issues with large groups of people renting the house, having loud parties, some lasting throughout the night,” Norman said.

Another resident who identified themself as living across from one rental described a 3 a.m. incident in which an intoxicated man rang their doorbell and required a 911 call; that resident said the house is “primarily weekend rentals” and that owners do not live on site. Laura, another Cathedral Point neighbor, said she frequently must pick up trash and that college‑age visitors sometimes block street parking. “I am worried about my neighbors who have small children who might be at greater risk for people climbing over their yard, their fences,” Laura said.

City staff member Severson summarized the current local regulations and enforcement challenges. He said Verona adopted short-term rental provisions in 2021 that set a minimum stay and require the operator’s primary residence to be the rental’s location. “Those are the two requirements,” Severson said. “And with those there’s been some challenges in enforcement.” He told the council staff and the city attorney have struggled to apply those rules because the code language provides limited, ambiguous proof standards for primary residence and other elements.

Severson said staff reviewed other communities’ approaches and that the city attorney advised licensing as a potentially stronger enforcement tool. A licensing program would allow the city to impose fees, set operating rules and revoke privileges for repeat violators, he said. Severson noted licensing also creates costs for operators; he cited examples of other cities with license fees in the $500–$1,000 range.

Council members expressed unanimous interest in stronger enforcement. Alder Posey and Alder Tucker Long said they support either tightening ordinances or adopting a license; Alder Helmke and Alder Harrison emphasized the need for “teeth” in enforcement. Several alderpersons said they preferred keeping license fees modest for compliant operators while raising penalties for repeat violators. Alder Lytle suggested focusing fee and collection mechanisms on penalties rather than burdening well-run operators.

Severson told the council the city has received roughly 50 to 60 complaints about short-term rentals since summer 2024. He told the council that state and county registration or licensing programs exist but may not address the specific local problems—noise, trash and weekend nuisance behavior. He said the city attorney will need to review statutory limits and legal risk.

Council members asked about near‑term options while a licensing program is drafted. Severson and other staff noted that police and code-enforcement responses—including nonemergency calls and attorney warning letters—have been used and can continue. Council members asked staff to prepare a draft licensing or regulatory approach and return to the council or public-safety committee; Severson said staff expects to have a draft by April.

The council did not adopt new regulations Monday; the discussion ended with direction for staff to draft options for licensing, enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures and to coordinate with the city attorney on legal constraints.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged stricter enforcement and expressed safety concerns; council members said they would pursue regulatory changes that are enforceable and legally defensible.

Looking ahead, staff will return with a proposed licensing/regulatory draft in April and will report expected costs, enforcement processes and potential penalties for repeat violations.