Auburn council approves short-term rental at 180 Greenfield with parking, trash and no-fire conditions

Auburn—s City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 9 to approve a short-term rental permit for 180 Greenfield Avenue, overturning an appeal and adding conditions aimed at addressing neighbors— concerns about parking, trash and wildfire risk. The council approved the permit after a public hearing that drew the property owner, adjacent residents and staff testimony.

The council—s planning director, Tia Klump, told the council the Planning Commission had approved the permit on Oct. 21, 2025, after staff circulated notice to property owners within 100 feet and received three letters of objection citing property-value impacts, parking, fire safety and the commercialization of residential neighborhoods. "The city council's review of this appeal is considered de novo," Klump said, explaining the council may approve, modify conditions, deny or remand the matter.

Applicant Doug Houston, owner of 180 Greenfield, said his operation complies with the city—s ordinance and called the home suitable for short-term stays because of nearby trail access. He told the council he averages "roughly about 24 bed nights a year" and enforces a three-night minimum. To address neighbor concerns, Houston said he would "instruct my future guests to use the driveway exclusively." He also said he "has a 2-car garage" and can accommodate additional vehicles in the driveway.

Opponents said the permit would alter the neighborhood—s character and posed safety risks. Appellant David Sterling, who said he has lived diagonally across the street from 180 Greenfield for 42 years, said "parking is not compliant with the short term rental code" and that illegal parking and unsecured trash have been recurring problems. Neighbors also raised wildfire concerns because the area is in a high fire severity zone and described bears scattering trash left near the street.

Public Works Director Mangoldine addressed the parking-safety question, saying the paved slab adjacent to the home is public right-of-way and "from our perspective it's no different than the unpaved area" and may be "a bit safer" for parking. Planning staff advised the council that the ordinance allows short-term rentals in the zoning district subject to permit conditions, and that code enforcement can pursue permit revocation if operational standards are repeatedly violated.

Based on the discussion, the city attorney read three draft conditions into the record: guests shall not park vehicles on the street and shall only park in the property's driveway or garage; trash shall be kept in the garage except as needed for collection by the city's franchise hauler; and guests shall not allow open flames or outdoor fire-ignition sources. Council members said those measures would mitigate the primary neighborhood concerns.

The council adopted the resolution as modified and approved the permit on a roll call vote: Amara: Yes; Dalton Calvio: Aye; Holmes: Aye; Bridal Harris: Aye; Mayor Kelly Davis: Aye.

What happens next: the council directed staff to prepare a resolution memorializing the action for the next council meeting and noted that code enforcement and the short-term rental process provide mechanisms to address future violations. The decision is final unless remanded or appealed per municipal procedures.