West Fargo commission sends short-term rental ordinance back for March-version rewrite after split vote

The West Fargo City Commission on a split vote directed staff to return for another first reading the March 2025 version of a proposed short‑term rental (STR) ordinance, after a public hearing and more than an hour of questions from commissioners.

The commission’s action, passed 3–2, instructed staff to bring back the March 2025 draft with two clarifications the commission asked to keep: (1) a 12‑month rolling window for counting repeat violations and (2) a requirement that city staff mail a notice to property owners within 150 feet after a license is issued. The motion did not adopt the current Planning & Zoning Commission version; an earlier motion to approve that version on first reading failed for lack of a second.

The proposed ordinance would require annual city licensing for any short‑term rental of a residential dwelling and set minimum operational standards. Aaron Nelson, the city’s director of planning and zoning, told the commission the licensing application would require verification of ownership, proof of liability insurance, confirmation of compliance with state and local lodging and sales taxes, designation of a local contact who can respond within two hours, an on‑site safety inspection and notification of neighboring property owners.…