Pullman council postpones short-term rental discussion until January 2026 after split vote

Council debated whether to take up a staff-prepared short-term rental (STR) packet at the Dec. 16 meeting or postpone until the new council is seated in January 2026. Council member Fujairah moved to defer the discussion to ensure the topic receives attention from the full new council and community advocates who had been canvassing residents; the motion was seconded and carried after a split vote.

Supporters of postponement said delay would allow newly elected members and community advocates who have been organizing door-to-door to participate in deliberations. Opponents argued staff had already spent months preparing the packet and that pushing the item forward was necessary to resolve an issue the community has raised repeatedly. Council member Weller urged the council to act, saying staff had spent months on the matter and it was time to move forward.

City Attorney raised a point of order clarifying the original council direction was for staff review, which staff said they had followed; some councilors also expressed concern about the planning commission’s level of review. The motion to postpone passed; staff will return with the item in January 2026 or the next available meeting.