The Madison City Board of Zoning Appeals approved routine renewals of multiple conditional-use permits and granted a new short-term rental permit on Nov. 10, 2025.

During the meeting Chair (unidentified) said the board had six renewals on the agenda and moved to renew items 2–6, which the board approved by voice vote. For renewal BZCU-23-97 (Baird Homes, 3041 West Clifty Drive), the board noted the applicant was in arrears and voted to instruct staff to send the usual notice; the conditional use will be renewed if the fees and charges are paid by the next regular meeting.

Ken McWilliams, speaking for Oyster Catcher LLC, requested a conditional-use permit for a short-term rental at 308 West 2nd Street. McWilliams said the owner had operated another short-term rental for three years and that "it's been a delightful place" with only one early complaint. Board members discussed occupancy and parking; the board noted its customary practice of allowing two occupants per bedroom and asked whether prior problems had occurred.

After discussion, the board approved application BZCU-25-22 for Oyster Catcher LLC with the following conditions: a one-year renewal period and enforcement of house rules that include quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and a prohibition on parties. A roll-call vote recorded the board's affirmative votes (all members present voted yes).

Board members also approved the renewal for Candace Carpenter (715 East Main) after confirming payment had been received.

The board discussed wider short-term rental enforcement and zoning work. A staff member and board members said the new zoning ordinance under consideration will add short-term rental language (a registry and related rules) and that platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO have their own safeguards. As the chair put it, "we have dozens and dozens of Airbnbs... and in my experience, we've had one complaint," a comment offered in the course of discussing whether additional local measures are needed.

What happens next: application BZCU-25-22 will be issued with the stated conditions; staff will send arrears notices to applicants who have not paid and report back at the next meeting if payments are made.