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Commissioners press for stronger code enforcement as short‑term rentals surface on platforms
Summary
Commissioners expressed concern that unpermitted short‑term rentals listed on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are undercutting tax collection and safety standards; staff said the new code enforcement officer has already opened many cases and the commission discussed enlarging enforcement capacity.
Commissioners used the Sept. 10 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to press for more active enforcement of zoning and permitting rules for short‑term rentals.
Several commissioners said they had found short‑term rentals advertised on Airbnb and VRBO that did not appear in village permitting records, which they said reduces tax revenue and poses safety and building‑code risks. "Our code enforcement officer is critical to this institution and to this village," one committee member said, urging regular checks of online listings.
A commissioner noted the village's new code enforcement officer has already identified a significant number of violations. "We already had over 60 violations that notices had been set out on and several municipal cases already going," one commissioner said of recent enforcement activity.
Director Hill praised the code enforcement officer and confirmed staff continue to search for unpermitted listings and take action where warranted. "I can certainly vouch for Michael Montoya. He is an excellent employee and code enforcement officer," Hill said, and added that tracking platforms like VRBO can be time‑consuming because many listings lack public pages to trace.
Commissioners discussed possible solutions including targeted enforcement, additional part‑time staff to monitor online platforms, and policy updates to clarify when a second dwelling unit may be used as a rental. Director Hill also proposed a work session on Sept. 24 to continue code and zoning policy conversations.
No formal vote on enforcement staffing or budget changes occurred at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with options at a future work session.
