Planning Commission leans toward requiring special‑use permits for short‑term rentals

The Page County Planning Commission moved toward recommending that short‑term tourist rentals be allowed only by special‑use permit rather than as a by‑right use, several commissioners said during a special meeting. Chair (speaking in the meeting) urged the commission to finalize one approach: “Wewe've come to this consensus that it's by SUP across the board,” the Chair said, pressing staff to draft the document accordingly.

A commissioner who read the zoning "statement of intent" argued that woodland conservation and agricultural areas deserve protections the comp plan intends. "It is the intent of this district, woodland conservation, to perpetuate the rural atmosphere, open space, and scenic landscape of the area," the commissioner read from the draft and told colleagues that that intent supports allowing STRs only by SUP to preserve character and give neighbors a chance to comment. Several members said an SUP process would allow site‑specific conditions (setbacks, parking, local management) and public comment that a by‑right approach would not provide. The commission directed staff to bring legal questions to the county attorney and to prepare the revised draft for the next meeting.

The meeting included no final vote on a draft ordinance; members signaled a policy preference and requested targeted legal guidance, including whether the county can define STRs as a commercial use and whether proposed SUP triggers (bedroom count, private‑road location, proximity to neighboring dwellings) are defensible. The commission adjourned after setting those next steps.