Lake County adopts temporary self‑reporting fire‑safety method for new short‑term rentals amid marshal vacancy

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 19 approved Resolution 2026-09, authorizing a temporary alternative fire‑safety compliance method for new short‑term rental applications while the county’s fire safety marshal position is vacant.

Commissioner Anne Snider, who led the discussion, said the county has been managing Fire Marshal Boyle’s departure and that the fire marshal performs reviews required by the land development code for short‑term rentals. She described the temporary approach as a self‑reporting affidavit for new licenses confirming items such as egress, smoke detectors and sealed detectors. "So, what this allows us is a temporary solution," Snider said, adding staff will use the next 12 months to amend the code and determine longer‑term staffing and oversight arrangements.

Snider said staff have been using interim measures, including assistance from other staff and work with Chief Daily of Lake County Fire Rescue on special reviews; she said she is meeting with Chief Daily the following week to gather information and present options to the board.

Under the temporary method outlined in the resolution, new short‑term rental applicants will submit a signed affidavit attesting to specified fire‑safety features. Renewals for existing short‑term rentals occur every three years, Snider said, and the short window gives staff time to propose a more durable code amendment allowing a broader designation (for example, a generic fire‑safety official rather than a specific titled marshal).

A commissioner moved and another seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2026-09. The transcript records the motion as approved but does not include a roll‑call or a detailed tally in the record provided.

The board adjourned after taking up the two resolutions.