Midway debates sweeping short‑term rental code changes; council pauses to refine enforcement and manager rules

Midway — The City Council spent substantial time reviewing proposed amendments to the city’s short‑term rental ordinance (ordinance 20 25-17), but ultimately continued the item so staff can incorporate council direction and return with redlined language.

Staff said the rewrite is intended to modernize enforcement and close loopholes the city has encountered enforcing older code language. Major proposals reviewed included eliminating the prohibition on rentals under 48 hours, requiring the owner or property manager to provide occupant information upon request, requiring a locally based property manager who must answer complaints within one hour, posting a small exterior sign with a 24/7 manager telephone number, and placing an in‑unit information packet (license copy, manager contact, occupancy limits, vehicle limits and shutoff locations) inside transient rental units.

Staff also proposed joint liability for owners and property managers for ordinance violations, proof of tax payment as a condition for license renewal, and clearer advertising rules to prevent properties from implying higher allowed occupancy than their license permits.

Council members debated enforcement details and penalties. Staff outlined a penalty framework that could include civil fines tied to code enforcement (staff cited examples of up to $1,000 per violation) and a revocation structure. The packet initially proposed three violations in 12 months as a revocation trigger; staff said council direction reduced that to two violations in a year and council discussed whether revocation periods should be six months, a year or longer, and whether the council should retain discretion to permanently revoke in the most egregious cases.

On property‑manager rules, staff proposed requiring a Midway business license and a physical location in the city; several councilmembers questioned whether the rule should permit managers with a physical presence in Wasatch County (with a Midway license) to increase available managers and reduce costs. Staff told the council managers would also be required to submit and update a list of units they manage so the city knows who to contact.

Councilmembers repeatedly stressed the need for enforcement “teeth” — penalties and revocation procedures robust enough to deter repeat offenders — and asked staff to bring back refined language. After discussion, the council voted to continue the ordinance to a future meeting (staff suggested Dec. 3 as an option to return a revised draft).

What happens next: Staff will revise the ordinance language to reflect council direction on manager geography, response times, penalties and revocation thresholds, and will return a redlined ordinance and enforcement framework for council consideration and public hearing.