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Sequim Valley Airport asks planning commission to allow short‑term rentals near airport
Summary
Sequim Valley Airport president told the commission he wants short‑term vacation rentals or tiny houses allowed in the airport overlay (Zone 3) to house visiting pilots, mechanics and flight students; staff said the change could be handled via the comp plan update or a separate zoning amendment and will analyze it for the next meeting.
Sequim Valley Airport leaders asked the Clallam County Planning Commission to amend airport overlay zoning to permit short‑term vacation rentals or small, permanent tiny houses in Zone 3 to support visiting pilots, aircraft maintenance customers and flight students.
Andy Salee, manager and president of Sequim Valley Airport Incorporated, told the commission the airport corporation owns about 35 acres and easements cover roughly 200 acres for approach and departure areas, while the specific Zone 3 parcel he discussed is "just 2 or 3 acres." Salee said the airport had experimented with tiny houses that worked well and that removing a current clause barring human occupation would "help our business" by providing on‑site short‑term accommodation for pilots, mechanics and students.
Commissioners asked whether the request should be part of the comprehensive plan update or handled separately as a zoning amendment. Staff replied it could be addressed either way and confirmed Sequim Valley Airport had provided written comments earlier in the process; staff said it will include the airport's input in the public comment tables and provide a formal analysis for the next meeting.
Questions from commissioners focused on parcel size, potential extension of utilities (water/sewer) and compliance with Growth Management Act constraints. Salee said the site under discussion is near ramps and taxiways and not intended to compete with local motels; he also noted the airport has been working with emergency services on resilience planning, saying the field could be useful for disaster distribution.
Staff promised to prepare a zone map and more detailed analysis for the next meeting so commissioners can see precise parcel boundaries and any possible conflicts with FAA or other regulations. No zoning change was approved at the meeting; the commission continued the overall hearing to Jan. 7 and asked staff to return with materials addressing the airport's request.
