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Harris Township adopts short-term rental rules, sets licensing fee
Summary
After public comment, the Harris Township Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 3-82 establishing short-term rental licensing, occupancy, parking and operational standards and authorized a $250 annual license fee by resolution. The ordinance limits stays to 1–29 days and caps rentals at 120 days per year.
The Harris Township Board of Supervisors on Dec. 8 adopted Ordinance 3-82, creating a short-term rental regulatory framework that sets licensing, occupancy and operational rules for rentals in the township.
The ordinance, read into the record by staff during a public hearing, defines short-term rentals as dwellings rented for overnight lodging of not less than one day and not more than 29 consecutive days, and limits short-term rental use to no more than 120 days per calendar year. It requires one off-street parking space per bedroom, mandates that licenses and maximum-occupancy limits be posted in advertising and at the dwelling, and bars occupancy of recreational vehicles, campers and tents on permitted short-term rental properties.
In public comment ahead of the vote, resident and property owner Eric Herbitz urged the board to reconsider the 120-day limit for grandfathered non–owner-occupied properties, saying the rule could leave a small number of formerly active rental properties ‘‘vacant and dark.’’ Sean Houts also urged flexibility for midterm housing needs, citing workers and residents displaced temporarily by emergencies.
Following the public hearing, a board member moved to adopt Ordinance 3‑82 and the motion was seconded; the board adopted the ordinance by voice vote. Staff stated that applications and guidance materials will be posted and that the township will communicate with applicants during the rollout.
The board also approved Resolution 25‑14 to add licensing fees to the township fee schedule. Staff recommended — and the board moved to approve — a $250 annual fee for license applications and renewals to help cover administration of the licensing program. The resolution was approved by voice vote.
The ordinance includes a license-revocation section that specifies revocation after three violations within a consecutive 12‑month period; staff noted exemptions to the owner-occupancy requirement for certain temporary absences (academic sabbaticals, military deployment, work relocation, medical treatment or caregiving) for up to 12 months unless extended by the township.
The township manager told the board that, because the short-term rental rules are new, staff prepared applications in advance and will publish additional guidance and e‑update notices to inform property owners of the licensing requirement. The township did not record individual roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; approval was announced by voice vote.
