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Westfir council debates occupancy and parking rules for short‑term rentals
Summary
Councilors and local rental owner Paul Mather discussed proposed occupancy limits (two people per bedroom plus two), parking surface requirements and enforcement challenges, noting practical difficulties with verifying actual occupant counts and on‑site parking surfaces in gravel‑dominant neighborhoods.
Council members examined draft ordinance provisions that would limit occupancy and require off‑street parking for short‑term rentals. The draft sets maximum occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two additional people — "for example, a 2 bedroom dwelling would have a maximum occupancy of 6 persons," staff read. Members raised practical enforcement questions (how to account for children, sleeping bags, or temporary family stays) and recommended clear language so the rule is enforceable only when problems arise.
Parking drew extended discussion. The draft requires one hard‑surface off‑street parking space for every two bedrooms and restricts parking areas from front yards; members noted many Westfir driveways are gravel and debated whether the ordinance should require paved surfaces or use less‑rigid language such as "durable and dustless." Council asked staff to revisit wording for Hemlock and other tight neighborhoods where paved off‑street parking is impractical.
