Planning Commission adopts revised short-term rental code with two-year renewals

The Lancaster City Planning Commission on Oct. 9 adopted a revised Short-term Rental Code that, among other changes, moves permit renewals to two-year intervals and allows one application when multiple short-term rentals share the same premises.

Chasilyn Carter of Community Development presented the amendments, noting several substantive edits: one application per short-term rental premises to avoid duplicate fees; renewal terms extended to two years; removal of a provision attempting to restrict on-street public parking because the City cannot enforce parking on public rights-of-way; acceptance of background checks conducted within the prior 12 months; a requirement that property owners post warnings when security cameras are present; a minimum renter age of 18; a grounds-for-denial clause tied to inadequate fire protection; and the addition of definitions for "short-term rental" and "short-term rental premises."

The public hearing produced no speakers for or against the code. Commissioner Sherry Orlando moved to approve the Short-term Rental Code; Commissioner John Sigafoos seconded the motion. With no further discussion the Commission voted unanimously to adopt the changes.

The ordinance change was presented as a code clean-up and a measure to reduce administrative burden on applicants while maintaining safety checks; the Commission did not debate implementation details such as inspection scheduling or enforcement mechanisms at the meeting. The revised code will proceed according to the City's administrative process for codified amendments.