Council schedules land-use planning meetings; asks staff to explore limits on short-term rentals

City Manager announced key upcoming events for the city’s land-use update: a Nov. 13 joint council and planning commission meeting to kick off the land-use planning consultant’s work and a Nov. 20 open house focused on current water and sewer system conditions (public engineer open house). The city urged public participation and said notices will be posted in advance.

During council discussion several members raised concerns about the number and growth of short-term rentals (VRBO/Airbnb). The city attorney (speaking during the discussion) told the council that municipalities can use zoning changes to limit or restrict short-term rentals in particular zones, but that applying changes to existing properties may invite legal challenges and that grandfathering is commonly used to avoid retroactive takings claims. The attorney suggested limiting new short-term rentals by zone as part of the broader zoning and subdivision regulation rewrite planned for the spring.

Council asked staff to examine options, including whether a percentage cap in defined zones would be feasible and whether city records (and GIS) can identify current short-term rental properties. Staff said they have a GIS-based listing and will follow up with an updated map and options for council review. Council agreed the forthcoming zoning rewrite and public process is an appropriate time to consider short-term rental restrictions.