Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rental topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jasper County approves requirement for proof of insurance for short-term rental license renewals
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved an amendment to the county code requiring proof of liability insurance when renewing short-term rental licenses; opponents said the language is unclear and disproportionately burdens STR owners.
The Jasper County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 4 to amend the county code to require proof of liability insurance when renewing short-term rental (STR) licenses.
Planning and Zoning Director Doug Attaway told the board the P&Z board had voted unanimously to recommend the change to Chapter 8, Section 8-32, and said the purpose is to ensure "everyone who may have an interaction with any STR is covered." Attaway said renewals occur in April, giving owners time to comply.
Owner Julie Newman opposed the change during public comment, saying she already carries homeowner coverage with an STR endorsement and that platforms such as VRBO and Airbnb provide coverage when a rental is occupied. "It feels like there is a target on the back of the STR owners with the constant ordinance changes," Newman said, adding she has generated about $15,000 in excess revenue for the county and that her permit cost is higher than neighboring counties.
County Attorney Adam Nelson said the ordinance lists the items that "general liability" must cover and that, in practice, if an owner's policy covers those listed items the county would have difficulty finding noncompliance. "Regardless of what you call the policy, if it covers the list items, the county would have a very hard time saying you are not in compliance with the ordinance," Nelson said, and he urged a reasonable implementation period to allow owners to correct coverage gaps.
Commissioner Asher Gray moved to approve the ordinance amendment as written; Commissioner Steven Ledford seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: the amendment will apply to STR license renewals beginning with the next renewal cycle; county staff and the county attorney said they will provide clarifying guidance on the list of required coverages. Owners who believe their existing policies meet the listed items were advised to retain documentation and consult with their insurance agents.
