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Council opens discussion on short‑term rentals; proposed licensing ordinance referred to committee
Summary
Following resident complaints about nuisance behavior and neighborhood impacts, councilmembers introduced a draft ordinance to require licensing and oversight of short‑term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO). The council referred the proposal and related communications to the Housing, Planning and Development Committee for further review and public input.
Lakewood City Council on July 21 received communications from councilmembers and residents about short‑term rental operations in residential neighborhoods and voted to refer a draft ordinance and accompanying materials to the Housing, Planning and Development Committee for detailed review.
Councilmembers Timothy Bullock and Greg Evans (cosponsors noted in the meeting) presented a concept draft that would require short‑term rentals to obtain an annual license from the city and meet safety, occupancy, insurance and contact/management requirements. The communication noted existing conditional‑use language in the codified ordinances that treats traditional bed‑and‑breakfasts as conditional uses in some zoning districts and asked whether short‑term rentals are being treated consistently with those standards.
Residents provided multiple examples of neighborhood impacts: loud parties, frequent calls for police service, parking conflicts, concerns about investor‑owned homes being used for business purposes, and questions about long‑term effects on housing supply and affordability. Speakers who testified included Ralph Puno, who urged stronger enforcement capacity and better staffing for licensing; Michael Zicom, who said a distinction should be made between casual home sharers and investor landlords; Gina Vernaci, who urged hotel‑style accountability (insurance, 24/7 response); and Molly Crow, who described repeated neighborhood disturbances and asked for guest screening and timely enforcement.
Council’s action: The council first received and filed the communication and then referred the draft ordinance (proposed Ordinance 23‑20‑25) and related materials to the Housing, Planning and Development Committee for public hearings and staff review. Sponsors said they intend the referral to start a deliberative process, collect stakeholder input and evaluate enforcement options, including whether to require a city license, establish occupancy and safety standards, and collect additional revenue (for example a lodging tax) if appropriate.
Why it matters: Cities across the region are grappling with how to regulate short‑term rentals while balancing property‑rights, neighborhood character and housing supply. Lakewood staff and council will need to decide enforcement capacity, whether to restrict where short‑term rentals may operate, and whether a registry or permit system should be implemented.
Next steps: The ordinance and communications were referred to Housing, Planning and Development for further hearings. Councilmembers and staff said they will consult stakeholders — including residents, operators and the law and building departments — and return to committee with recommended language and enforcement options.
