Des Moines council sends short-term rental ordinance to second reading after unanimous approval

The Des Moines City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 4 to send a draft ordinance regulating short-term rentals to a second reading. The ordinance would require owners to obtain a city short-term rental permit, notify neighbors, observe occupancy limits and meet noise and conduct rules intended to reduce neighborhood impacts.

City staff member Tara introduced the ordinance draft during the study session and told the council it follows the RCW definition of short-term rentals as dwellings rented for less than 30 consecutive nights. The draft sets a suggested permit fee of $250 and bases maximum occupancy on the number of bedrooms in a dwelling.

Key points in the draft ordinance presented by staff: - Permit and fee: Property owners would apply for a short-term rental permit; the recommended fee in the draft is $250. - Neighbor notice: Permit applicants must send a notification letter to neighboring properties with local contact information for complaints. - Occupancy limits: The draft uses a table to set maximum occupancy based on bedroom count. -…