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Bicknell commissioners continue work on extended‑stay ordinance after lengthy debate over 60‑day rule, licensing and cooktop language
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission spent the bulk of its July 15 meeting revising an extended‑stay/short‑term rental ordinance draft, disputing whether guests become residents after 60 days in a 180‑day period, whether up to 25% of rooms may be converted to extended‑stay, and how to describe permitted kitchen equipment; commissioners resolved to rework the draft and revisit it at the July 31 work meeting.
Commissioners spent extensive time on a draft extended‑stay ordinance that would regulate transient and extended‑stay lodging in Bicknell, including hotels, motels and portions of facilities that might operate as longer‑term rooms.
A recurring point of contention was a 60‑day threshold stated in the draft: several commissioners worried the current wording could be read to bar a local resident or long‑term visitor from occupying a transient or extended‑stay room for more than 60 days in a 180‑day period. “If you're here even as an extended stay guest for 60 days, you're now a resident,” one commissioner said while reading the draft aloud and urging clearer phrasing. The commission discussed tightening language to say explicitly that the 60‑day limit applies to non‑resident guests (transient/extended‑stay guests) and not to town residents using short‑term housing temporarily.
Commissioners also debated technical provisions: creating a separate extended‑stay license, what inspections should be required (fire and public‑health inspections were discussed), and whether to require a permanent installed cooktop or range rather than the draft’s reference to a "hot plate." One commissioner proposed replacing the phrase "hot plate" with "permanent cooktop or range" to avoid confusion about portable appliances.
The panel agreed not to forward the draft to the town council at this time. Instead, members asked staff to pull sample ordinances from neighboring jurisdictions, clarified several definitions (including "transient guest" vs. "extended stay"), and scheduled additional work before the next meeting. Commissioners set the work meeting for July 31 to continue drafting and to ensure the ordinance language aligns with the council’s intentions.
No final vote was taken on the ordinance; the commission’s direction was to refine wording and return with a revised draft.
