Board sets Sept. 21 public hearing on short-term rental ordinance after split Planning Commission

County planning staff presented a detailed draft of proposed zoning ordinance amendments for short-term rentals (STRs), summarizing months of steering-committee and Planning Commission work that ended in a 3–3 split. Staff reported extensive written and spoken public comments raising concerns about overregulation, a proposed two-year ownership requirement, enforcement challenges and effects on housing and local owners.

Board members debated several contentious provisions. Supervisor Ladderback argued the two-year ownership requirement could disadvantage local owners attempting to sell properties and might benefit out-of-area investors. "The 2 year term... would have to wait 2 years to be able to rent it and make income on it," he said, expressing concern that the restriction could favor larger corporate buyers. Other board members said the clause complicated the draft and supported removing it or crafting grandfathering/ SUP pathways.

After discussion, Supervisor Ryan moved to set a public hearing on Sept. 21, 2026 and to direct staff to provide statutory notice under Va. Code §15.2-2204; the board voted to set the hearing and tentatively agreed to hold it at Luray High School auditorium pending venue confirmation. The board instructed staff to clean the draft (remove items identified as unnecessary or enforcement-related) prior to the public hearing and to return with details for public notice and logistics.