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Eureka amends business-commercial zoning to allow short-term rentals downtown
Summary
The council unanimously approved an ordinance amending the business-commercial zone (section 13.5.04) to allow short-term rentals and to permit the city to collect an overnight room tax from such rentals.
The Eureka City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Aug. 25, 2025, amending the business-commercial zone to allow short-term rentals in properties zoned for commercial business use.
The change (ordinance 2025-08-25-25, amending section 13.5.04) follows a planning commission public hearing and a positive recommendation from that commission.
Why it matters Allowing short-term rentals in the business-commercial zone makes it possible for owners of commercial properties in downtown Eureka to host transient lodging such as Airbnb or VRBO-style rentals and for the city to collect an overnight room tax on those stays. Council members said the revenue is expected to be modest but will bring outside dollars into the local economy.
What council discussed Planning staff and council members noted the change arose from a resident request and that the planning commission held a public hearing on the proposal. The amendment was framed as the final step needed to make short-term rentals legally compatible with the city’s zoning and tax collection processes.
Formal action A motion to approve ordinance 2025-08-25-25 (amending section 13.5.04 to allow short-term rentals in the business-commercial zone) was made and seconded; the council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.
Ending Council members said the step is modest but could help the city capture room-tax revenue from visitors using short-term rental platforms.
