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Planning commission flags privacy, FOIA risks for operator registry
Summary
Commissioners raised privacy and public-records concerns about a proposed operator registry for short-term rentals and directed staff to seek County Attorney guidance on redaction, public posting, and whether permit IDs could be required on listing websites.
At the April 23 meeting, Chairman Jared Burner and Commissioner Sandy Davis voiced concerns that a proposed operator registry—collecting operator name, physical address, and whether an owner has given permission to a lessee—could be subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act if maintained by county staff. Staff member Josh Hahn said certain information could be redacted but acknowledged that information held by staff is subject to FOIA rules.
Commissioners asked staff to consult the County Attorney on whether the registry would be a public document and whether staff could require a permit or registry identification number to appear on public listing sites such as AirBnB or VRBO. No change was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with legal guidance.
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