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Council approves short‑term rental certification video and test to accompany STR permits
Summary
Sandy City adopted a short‑term rental (STR) management certification course — a short informational video and a 20‑question online test requiring 80% to pass — to be completed by property owners prior to STR license application. The council approved the program unanimously and staff will implement the online test and web materials.
The Sandy City Council unanimously adopted an STR management certification program that requires owners to watch an informational video and pass a test (80% threshold) before submitting a short‑term rental special use permit and business license application.
Assistant Community Development Director Brian McKeown described the certification as an implementation step of an ordinance the council adopted earlier. Staff produced a short instructional video and a linked 20‑question online test that covers occupancy limits, safety and inspection requirements, owner‑occupancy verification, required parking plans, noise and nuisance rules, and required guest information packets. The video demonstrates the application process and program expectations; the test is delivered online and issues a certificate of completion tied to the property address if the owner passes.
The program requires applicants to document owner occupancy (warranty deed, deed transfer or quitclaim deed) and to show the city a site plan that indicates the short‑term rental portion of the dwelling, required smoke and carbon monoxide detector locations and emergency exit points. Owners must also provide a 24/7 local contact who can respond immediately to complaints, and the certificate will be required at the time of permit submittal. Staff said the web page will host the video, the test, the STR availability map and instructions for scheduling the required application appointment.
Council members praised the staff and vendor production — several called the video and test a significant improvement in making ordinance requirements easily digestible for owners — and the council approved the certification package 7–0. Staff said approval allows them to finalize web implementation and to integrate tracking software the council previously authorized in the budget process.
