Public debate in Manti over short-term rental rules focuses on occupancy, parking and grandfathering

Manti City Council opened a public hearing April 15 on a proposed short-term rental (STR) ordinance intended to protect neighborhoods from noise, trash and parking impacts while preserving options for local hosts.

The mayor said the draft was prepared with the planning commission to allow STRs but to prevent whole neighborhoods from becoming short-term rental districts. Planning & zoning members and several residents cited complaints from hotels and neighbors about parties, trash and parking congestion as reasons for the rules.

Terrell Davis asked whether hotels and motels would be excluded; staff clarified hotels and motels are not covered and that bed-and-breakfasts would be treated as short-term rentals in the ordinance. Multiple residents urged clarity on whether existing operators would be grandfathered; staff said the draft includes grandfathering language but specifics need confirmation.

An email read into the record from a local STR operator (Ryder Vasco) recommended limiting adults rather than total occupants, requiring hosts to declare the number of cars and ensure off-street parking (for example, one car per bedroom), providing guests with a copy of the ordinance, and listing penalties to deter parties. The operator also asked whether existing licensed operators would need to reapply.

Council members debated a flat occupancy cap (the draft suggested 10) versus higher caps (some suggested 15) and discussed a bedrooms-based approach (national standard cited as two people per bedroom plus one). Several councilors said counting adults might better balance family stays with preventing party behavior. The council asked for data on average stay lengths and guest demographics to inform the May vote.

The mayor closed the hearing and urged residents to submit written feedback before the ordinance returns to the council for a vote in May.