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Council defines 'homestay' and adopts changes to short‑term rental rules after public comment
Summary
Council considered three zoning amendments to create a defined 'homestay rental' category (resident‑occupied single‑bedroom rentals) and to reduce the short‑term rental separation buffer from 500 to 300 feet; staff recommended approval and council adopted the measures after public comment raising neighborhood nuisance and parking concerns.
City zoning staff presented three related amendments on Aug. 14 that address short‑term rentals and create a separate 'homestay rental' use.
Allison Jaccur, the zoning administrator, said the proposed homestay definition would allow a resident‑occupied single‑bedroom rental (one bedroom, possible bathroom/closet/sitting area) offered to transient guests for 30 days or less and would be permitted administratively via a zoning administrator permit with conditions (proof of residency, on‑site parking, posted floor plan and fact sheet, a responsible local contact who must respond within one hour, and the operator physically present between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.). Jaccur explained staff also proposed reducing the separation buffer for short‑term rentals from 500 feet to 300 feet, a distance derived from typical block front setbacks used in the ordinance.
During the public hearing, several residents described problems they associate with absentee short‑term rental operators — late‑night parties, parking blocking driveways, and difficulty contacting remote owners — and urged caution before reducing separation. Teresa Roundy described repeated late‑night parties at a nearby rental and said police responses had not resolved the issue; Jill Rondeau and Scott Woodruff told council similar neighborhood impacts and urged protecting single‑family areas.
After discussion the council approved the zoning amendments. Staff and planning commission recommended the changes; one council member recorded a dissenting vote on one of the related overlay items during final roll call.
