Petersburg council narrows short-term rental rules; requires special-use permits except for owner-occupied homes

Petersburg City Council on June 17 adopted changes to the city's zoning ordinance to define, register and regulate short-term rentals (examples: Airbnb, homestay) and to require special-use permits for short-term rental uses except when the property is the owner's primary residence.

Planning staff presented a text amendment that had been developed over the prior year with extensive planning-commission review and public outreach. Planning Director Naomi Saadmock said the planning commission recommended approval (5-0) and staff proposed a registry, annual verification, and operational standards addressing safety, occupancy and nuisance controls. Key proposed standards the council…