Sandpoint council repeals and replaces short-term rental rules; ordinance adopted under suspension of rules
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Summary
Facing possible state preemption, the council voted Feb. 4 to repeal and replace its short-term rental code (Title 3, Chapter 12); the measure passed by a narrow margin and was read and adopted under suspension of the rules to take effect on publication.
Sandpoint— The Sandpoint City Council voted to repeal and replace the city's short-term rental (STR) ordinance (Title 3, Chapter 12) during the Feb. 4 meeting, approving the ordinance's first reading and then suspending rules to approve second and third readings under the same meeting.
Staff warned councilors that pending state legislation could override local STR rules, prompting members to weigh the immediate need to amend the city code against the risk of future state preemption. The clerk read the ordinance title into the record; after debate the council approved first reading by title only, and when the initial roll-call resulted in a tie the mayor cast the deciding vote in favor of adoption. The council then moved to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance in full; roll-call votes on that measure again split but the motion passed and the mayor declared the ordinance adopted. The ordinance will take effect upon publication of the summary in the newspaper.
Councilors discussed the unpredictable state legislative environment and noted they might need to return in coming months to adjust local code depending on the legislature's action. The council's action makes this local code change effective immediately upon publication but leaves open the possibility of future amendment should state law change.
What happens next: The ordinance summary will be published as required; staff noted they will monitor the forthcoming state committee hearing and legislative actions and return with proposed changes if preemption occurs.
