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Midvale council debates whether to allow short-term rentals as staff outlines enforcement options
Summary
At an Aug. 5 workshop, Community Development Director Adam Olsen told the council about roughly 110 illegal short-term rentals operating in Midvale and asked whether the city should allow or further regulate them. Several council members said they oppose allowing STRs; staff outlined enforcement and ordinance options.
Adam Olsen, Community Development Director, told the Midvale City Council during an Aug. 5 workshop that "short-term rentals are not allowed in Midvale" and that staff currently tells callers requesting a permit that no permit will be issued. He said staff has identified "about 110 short-term rentals illegally operating in Midvale" and asked the council whether the city should move to allow or formally regulate them.
Council Member Heidi Robinson said she "is not in favor of allowing short-term rentals," citing repeated complaints in her district; Council Member Bryant Brown also said he was opposed and asked whether the city can notify Airbnb and VRBO. Garrett Wilcox, City Attorney, said "yes, the city can notify the companies but there isn’t much they can or will do as far as enforcement goes." Nate Rockwood, Assistant City Manager, and Mariah Hill, Administrative Services Director, discussed revenue and code-clarification options.
Staff described enforcement options and recent statutory changes: Garrett Wilcox said penalties for operating an illegal short-term rental could include an administrative citation with fines due immediately and that the city typically would not pursue both a fine and a criminal charge simultaneously. Adam Olsen said legislation passed in May allows cities to search for illegal listings on Airbnb and VRBO. Mr. Rockwood said clarifying code language would help enforcement; Ms. Hill suggested working with property owners if rentals are prevalent.
Council members were split but leant toward restricting STRs: Robinson and Denece Mikolash voiced clear opposition; Brown also objected; Paul Glover described himself as a "soft no" and asked for enforcement changes if rentals were to be allowed. Mayor Dustin Gettel asked for a broader discussion and directed staff to return with more information on potential regulatory parameters and revenue impacts.
Next steps: staff were asked to study enforcement tools and revenue implications and to report back to the council; no ordinance change or formal vote occurred at the Aug. 5 workshop.
