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. - Complaints and noise monitoring: Property owners must respond promptly to complaints. If a property receives three verified noise complaints as defined in the ordinance, the owner would be required to install a sound-monitoring system. - Enforcement and penalties: Violations are proposed to be class 1 civil infractions with potential permit denial or revocation. The draft provides an appeal path to the hearing examiner for permit denials or revocations.

“Short-term rentals are defined consistent with state law,” Tara said during her presentation, describing the permit, notification and enforcement elements in the draft ordinance. She said the goal is to allow lawful rentals while controlling potential impacts on residential neighborhoods.

Council members asked multiple clarity questions about enforcement mechanics, how sound-monitoring data would be accessed, whether placards should be posted outside rental properties, inspections before operation and how calls-for-service would be handled. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz and other council members asked staff to return with a model neighbor-notification letter and additional research on the noise-monitoring approach and data access.

Council discussion highlights included: - Placards and on-site posting: Council members discussed posting a small placard on the property with contact information but noted concerns that an exterior sign could advertise when a house is empty. Several council members preferred requiring a visible on-site information packet or laminated contact card instead, and agreed that a mailed neighbor notice should be part of the permit process. - Inspections: The draft ordinance does not currently require a pre-operational inspection. Some council members asked staff to return with options for a one-time inspection tied to a fee; others warned about limited staff capacity and the risk of making the process cost-prohibitive. - Noise-monitoring systems: Council members discussed whether the city should require owners to turn over monitoring data or whether police would need a warrant to access privately collected monitoring records. Staff said they would research common practices in other jurisdictions and options for enforceable monitoring. - Calls for service/cost recovery: Council members asked staff to explore fee structures for repeated calls for service or other measures (including permit revocation) to address nuisance properties.

Action and next steps - Motion: move the draft ordinance to a second reading (motion moved by not specified; seconded by Council member Mahoney). - Vote: unanimous, council approved second reading. - Staff direction: council asked staff to return with a model neighbor-notification letter, analysis of inspection options and costs, research on noise-monitoring implementation and possible placard or in-home information approaches.

The second reading will bring the ordinance back for formal adoption deliberations, and staff will incorporate the council’s requested clarifications and additional research into the revised packet.

Sources: Des Moines City Council study session, Sept. 4, 2025; presentation by city staff member Tara (short-term rental draft ordinance).