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Council debates short‑term rental rules after RM2 homeowner seeks relief
Summary
A homeowner in an RM2 multifamily zone asked whether a single‑family house in that zone could obtain a short‑term rental (residential-hosting) license; council members debated zoning consistency and whether case‑by‑case adjustments are appropriate.
Councilmembers reviewed a request from a homeowner in an RM2 (multifamily) zone who bought a detached single‑family house and wants to operate a residential‑hosting (short‑term rental) license. Current city practice allows residential hosting in single‑family zones with owner occupancy conditions, but multifamily zoning rules generally prohibit residential hosting.
Staff explained that the property is legally within an RM2 zone; that zoning permits detached single‑family houses on individual lots but does not permit residential hosting in that zone. The homeowner said the permit status was not clear at purchase and asked for a path forward.
Some councilmembers favored a case‑by‑case development agreement or rezoning of the lot so the homeowner could be permitted to operate a residential-hosting license. Others said the city should not expand multifamily zoning exceptions and cautioned against creating a precedent that would weaken the policy that originally allowed accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single‑family zones to increase housing availability.
No ordinance change was adopted. Staff were asked to return with options — including a possible one‑lot rezoning, development agreement, or targeted code amendment — and to report how similar cases have been handled.
