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Council opts for middle path on amenity rentals: some uses to require CUPs, others allowed with limits
Summary
The Des Moines City Council directed staff to pursue a hybrid regulatory approach to amenity rentals — requiring conditional use permits for some higher‑risk uses and a permit-with-limits for others — and asked staff to return with draft rules and fees.
The Des Moines City Council on Sept. 4 directed staff to pursue a hybrid regulatory approach to amenity rentals: require conditional use permits (CUPs) for certain higher‑risk or novel uses while allowing others to operate under a permit-with-limits structure. The council’s decision — reached by majority preference during a study-session discussion — was not a formal ordinance vote but provides clear direction for staff to draft regulations and return with details.
“Amenity rentals” as discussed are privately owned, non-dwelling spaces offered for short-term public use — examples include backyard pools, sports courts, dog-play yards and rooftop decks. City staff told the council amenity rentals are not explicitly regulated under current code and, in some zones, have been interpreted under the broader “recreation facility (commercial)” category that can require a CUP.
Council members and staff reviewed three broad policy options: (1) prohibit amenity rentals, (2) make them subject to…
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