County launches short‑term rental review as owners urge limits amid rapid growth

Page County staff told the Planning Commission they will return a draft short‑term rental (STR) policy for Board review by June–July 2026 after a steering committee refines problems, data and policy options. Ryan Cubbage said the committee formed in November 2025 will separate anecdote from measurable trends and propose targeted solutions intended to avoid unintended consequences for the local economy.

Several STR owners and operators spoke during the open comment period. Kris Garrett, who identified herself as an STR owner, said the local STR market had grown from about 400 listings when she began to roughly 1,200 today and urged the county to slow growth and consider residency or ownership‑duration requirements. "Page County for Page County, and I live here, I work here, I play here," Garrett said, arguing nonresident owners capture tourism revenue that otherwise would remain local. Derek Goebel (Woodside Cabins) described the market as saturated and asked the commission to protect long‑time local operators. Commissioners agreed to table a fuller policy discussion to the next meeting to allow review of the staff memo and for commissioners to brainstorm options.

Staff emphasized any regulatory changes would not retroactively penalize existing operators. The steering committee membership includes staff and commissioners and aims to produce data‑driven recommendations. Commissioners asked staff and committee members to consider supplemental regulations that clarify permitted uses and to avoid across‑the‑board measures that conflict with existing zoning allowances in Commercial and Industrial districts.