Verona residents describe weekend parties, late-night knocks; council asks staff to draft short-term rental licensing

Residents from the Cathedral Point neighborhood told the Verona Common Council on March 11 that short-term rental properties next to their homes have produced repeated noise, trash and safety problems, and urged the city to strengthen enforcement.

Jim Hansen, part of the Cathedral Point Homeowners Association, told the council the neighborhood supports restrictions and offered to assist city staff with enforcement, saying, "we're definitely willing to help." Ben Norman, a Cathedral Point resident, said two short-term rentals opened next to his home in the past 18 months and that the properties have produced "large groups of people renting the house, having loud parties, some lasting throughout the night." An unnamed resident who identified their address as 341 East Chapel Royal Drive described recurring weekend rentals, trailers and concerns about the safety of small children. Laura Kwedic, also a Cathedral Point resident, said she has "never seen the primary owners" of a property being rented and described overflowing trash and blocked parking.

City staff presented background on Verona's existing rules, saying short-term rental regulations were adopted in 2021 and currently focus on minimum-stay duration and whether the operator claims the property as a primary residence. Staff noted those rules have been "difficult to enforce" because the standards for proving a primary residence are vague, and that staff had received about 50 to 60 complaints since last summer. The city attorney, Brian Kleinmeyer, and police and code enforcement staff have been consulted.

Staff said some other communities regulate short-term rentals through a licensing system rather than relying solely on zoning, and that a municipal license would allow more direct enforcement — including revocation — though it would impose a new fee on operators. Staff estimated licensing program fees in other cities at roughly $500–$1,000 per year and said the city could set a different fee. Staff also noted state law and Dane County registration processes could affect what the city may legally require, and that the city attorney would need to review any proposed licensing language.

Councilmembers from across the chamber expressed support for stronger tools. Alder Posey and Alder Tucker Long said they want enforceable rules; Alder Helmke called for a licensing approach with substantial penalties and fines to deter repeat offenders; Alder Lytle suggested keeping licensing fees lower while imposing higher penalties for noncompliance to protect homeowners not operating as businesses; Alder Hooks asked staff to produce short-term options for residents while a licensing program is developed. Several councilmembers asked whether existing nuisance ordinances could apply; staff said a public nuisance ordinance exists but that the city attorney should confirm how it would be enforced in these circumstances.

Outcome: Council did not adopt an ordinance at the March 11 meeting. Councilmembers directed staff to draft licensing and enforcement options for short-term rentals (including potential fees, penalties and revocation processes), to review applicable state law and Dane County processes, and to return to the council or the appropriate committee with a proposal in April.

The discussion included requests that staff explore interim steps — such as targeted legal notices from the city attorney and continued police contact with owners — while the licensing proposal is developed.

The comments from residents and the council highlight ongoing neighborhood concerns about noise, trash, public safety and parking tied to a small number of short-term rental properties. Staff said any final proposal would be reviewed by the city attorney before implementation.