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Council weighs ADU/short‑term rental rules in multifamily zones and reviews cottage‑kitchen licensing issue
Summary
Officials debated whether single‑family homes inside RM‑2 multifamily zones should be allowed accessory dwelling units or short‑term rentals and directed staff to consider zoning or case‑by‑case solutions. Separately, staff reported a commercial kitchen operating under a cottage license for popcorn was using a different commercial license to produce chips and salsa; staff will review business‑licensing and sewer/grease‑trap requirements.
HURRICANE — Council members debated how to handle accessory dwelling units and short‑term rental licensing for single‑family houses located inside multifamily (RM‑2) zones, and directed staff to explore code or case‑by‑case remedies. The council also asked staff to review business‑licensing rules after learning a local operator had used an improper cottage license to operate a commercial kitchen.
A resident of Hurricane View subdivision bought a single‑family house that sits in an RM‑2 zone and was told short‑term residential hosting is precluded by the zone. Councilors discussed options including rezoning a single lot, using a development agreement, or leaving the code as written; several members favored limiting exceptions and treating any allowance on a case‑by‑case basis rather than broadly amending policy.
On the business licensing issue, staff reported an operator had obtained a cottage license that covered popcorn but not the chips‑and‑salsa products he was producing and had a separate commercial kitchen license that was not disclosed to city licensing staff. The city cannot issue a business license while the operator lacks compliance with local code and sewer‑district requirements such as a grease trap. City staff were directed to review whether the municipal code needs adjustment to reflect recent state licensing changes and to advise the operator on the steps required to come into compliance.
Councilors emphasized they do not intend to block small home‑based entrepreneurs but said city licensing and sewer‑district standards must be met before issuing a full business license.
