Planning commission debates short-term rental ordinance, tables action for revisions

City planning staff presented a draft short-term rental ordinance and recommended the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and consider the proposed code changes, but commissioners voted to table the item after asking staff to clarify enforcement timelines and wording.

The discussion centered on how to bring short-term rentals (STRs) into the city's land-use code, how enforcement would work under both local rules and a pending state bill, and whether the commission should adopt an ordinance now or wait for the final language of the state legislation. Amanda, city planning staff, told the commission that the municipality currently treats uses not listed in the allowed-use table as prohibited and that the draft ordinance is intended as a placeholder so the city would not be excluded if the state passes language enabling listing sites to be used as evidence.

"Staff recommends Planning Commission hold a public hearing and consider the proposed ordinance," Amanda said during her presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff cited housing supply and neighborhood impacts as the key stakes. Speakers referenced Summit County and Park City experiences, saying STRs can reduce long-term rental supply and raise housing prices in resort-adjacent communities. A pending state House bill (referred to in discussion as "HB 256") could permit municipalities that regulate STRs to use listings on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO…