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TriCounty Health offers Airbnb sign-off; commissioners ask planning and zoning to review ordinance
Summary
TriCounty Health told Daggett County commissioners it can provide environmental health sign-off for Airbnbs that rely on private wells or septic systems; commissioners asked staff to arrange a presentation to the county planning and zoning commission to consider amending local ordinance to require such sign-off for short-term rentals.
TriCounty Health staff described a practice used in neighboring counties to require health-department sign-off for short-term rental business licenses that rely on private wells or septic systems, and the Daggett County Commission asked staff to pursue a Planning & Zoning review.
Darren Brown of TriCounty Health said Duchesne and Uintah counties require health approval for Airbnbs that use private water or septic systems because many short-term rentals are in rural locations. He said TriCounty Health can provide the same review for Daggett County, checking water and wastewater approvals where needed. Brown noted that dwellings on a municipal culinary water and sewer system would not require this extra step.
Commissioner Jack (the commissioner assigned to oversee planning and zoning) and county staff agreed it would be useful for Darren to present to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Staff asked Darren to contact Carrie Paulson in the county planning office to arrange a presentation and to seek a recommendation from Planning & Zoning before the commission considers an ordinance change.
Why it matters: County staff said short-term rentals vary widely, from fully permitted homes to ad-hoc accommodations (tents or other structures) that may lack approved water or restroom facilities. Requiring a TriCounty Health sign-off would place responsibility on owners to show their property meets environmental health standards before receiving a business license.
What's next: Darren Brown will coordinate with Planning & Zoning staff to schedule a presentation and follow up with a recommendation to the county commission; no ordinance change was adopted at the May 27 meeting.
