Committee debates proposed short‑term rental ordinance changes: operator vs. owner registration, density rules and human‑trafficking training

Members of the Quality of Life Committee reviewed and debated a raft of proposed amendments to a draft short‑term rental (STR) ordinance, focusing on enforcement, who must register, density limits in multifamily properties and training requirements.

The committee framed the discussion around two competing registration approaches. Councilmember Kamen offered Amendment 1A to make the operator (the party managing a listed unit) the required applicant for the city certificate of registration. Administration staff and legal advised that Amendment 1B — defining applicant as the owner or operator — is preferable. Director Paez told the committee the administration supports Amendment 1B and would like to keep the word "owner" in the ordinance; legal counsel Rashad Grama said owner-or-operator language mirrors other municipal codes and is used by many U.S. cities. Kamen argued operator‑only language reduces ambiguity in criminal prosecutions, saying the operator is the party "closest to the action." The committee heard competing legal views about prosecutorial clarity and municipal precedent.

Members also debated a proposal (Amendment 2) that would allow revocation of registrations for an entire multifamily property if 25% or more of…