Council approves first reading of short‑term rental code amendments

The Salina City Council on Nov. 25 approved on first reading an ordinance amending parts of the Salina municipal code that govern short‑term rentals, unanimously adopting staff recommendations to clarify permit terms, enforcement procedures and application requirements.

Senior staff attorney Ethan Walsh told the council the changes are intended to align the code with state law and to make administration clearer. "These are, you know, largely technical changes that we're making just to provide a little bit more ease of administration," Walsh said.

The ordinance, described by staff as a cleanup, amends multiple code sections and clarifies several points: it brings the administrative appeal deadline into compliance with state law; makes clear that short‑term rental permits expire and must be renewed; expands the definition of the "responsible permit" holder to include tenants who operate a rental; and spells out the administrative citation process as one enforcement option in addition to court action. The ordinance also aligns the definitions of "transient occupancy" and "short‑term rental."

Staff and council also discussed permit numbers and fees. Permit technician Zena Gomero said, "Currently, we have, I would say, 21 short term rentals," and reported staff has been contacting prospective applicants from a waitlist that dates back to 2016.

Staff gave fee information during the meeting: the short‑term rental permit application fee is $2,250; a new application also carries a $600 public‑hearing notice fee; staff said renewals occur on the stated term cadence. Walsh later clarified the formal permit term: a short‑term rental permit is a two‑year term. If a property is rented for fewer than an average of 60 nights per year over that two‑year period, the matter is elevated to the Planning Commission for review rather than being approved administratively by the community development director.

Council members asked whether renewal reminders should be mandated by ordinance. Walsh said reminders are not required in the code and recommended a staff‑level administrative policy to ensure reminders continue when staff turnover occurs; Zena Gomero said staff currently sends email reminders a couple of months before a permit expires.

Council moved and seconded to adopt the staff recommendations and waive first reading; the motion passed by roll call with all members voting yes.

Walsh and planning staff said they will return with options and more details if the council wants to consider policy changes to fees, permit numbers or renewal procedures later this winter.