City staff outlines short-term rental permit and special-exception framework

City staff presented a proposed ordinance that would require short-term rental operators to obtain a city permit, meet basic safety and property-maintenance standards, provide a local emergency contact and display the permit on the property. The presenter said permits would become available as soon as the ordinance is effective, would be valid for one year and that state law limits many local requirements: “short term rentals cannot be banned under Indiana law,” staff said, and state statutes define much of the permit content and timelines.