West Fargo commission approves first reading to regulate short-term rentals; primary-residency rule removed

Aaron Nelson, the city’s director of planning and zoning, told the West Fargo City Commission on Oct. 20 that a short‑term rental committee had met four times and recommended a revised ordinance (A2428) to establish licensing and regulation for short‑term rentals. The committee’s three principal recommendations were to remove a primary‑residency requirement, base maximum occupancy on building‑code bedroom square footage and change the license year to run July 1 through June 30 rather than follow the calendar year.

Nelson said the revisions also add “good neighbor” guidance for licensees to post in the unit entryway and that the packet contains a redlined ordinance and a public survey summarizing resident responses. He told commissioners the committee reviewed ordinances from neighboring jurisdictions to find a middle ground between regulation and overreach.

After a brief round of commissioner comments — including a commendation for staff from Commissioner Anderson — the commission opened and closed the public hearing with no members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Jorgensen moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded approval of the ordinance’s first reading; the motion carried on a 4–1 voice vote.

The first reading advances A2428 to additional public review and a subsequent hearing; Nelson said the committee recommended an additional hearing because of the scope of the changes. The ordinance packet includes a redlined draft and survey appendix; the city will schedule further public input as required by the process.