Ruidoso council tightens short-term rental rules: appeals process changed and propane fire tables allowed

The Village of Ruidoso adopted ordinance 2026-10, amending the short-term rental (STR) provisions in Chapter 54 of the municipal code. Jacob, a planning staffer, said a subcommittee that included public members, planners, property managers and attorneys reviewed the ordinance and produced two main changes: (1) an administrative-to-planning-and-zoning appeals flow for permits and revocations, with final appeal to council and then district court per standard process; and (2) a clarified definition of illegal burning that permits fuel-controlled propane or natural-gas fire tables while continuing to prohibit wood-burning pits and other open burning at STRs.

Jacob told council the group reached consensus on both the appeals process and the fire-pit language after multiple meetings and attorney review. The proposed change means revocation or suspension of an STR license would begin as an administrative action, proceed to planning and zoning for review, and be appealable to council before litigating further in district court.

Council opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers on the item and then voted to adopt the ordinance by roll call.

Why it matters: the revised appeals flow is intended to streamline administrative review while preserving successive appeal steps; the fire-pit clarification reflects public safety concerns raised after recent wildland-urban interface wildfire and post-disaster conversations.

Next steps: the village will publish amended STR language and update administrative procedures and forms; staff said they are implementing Decard STR management software to improve registration and notification workflows.