Kalispell City Council takes up short-term rental rules
Sam Wilson | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years AGO
Short-term residential rentals will once again be up for discussion at tonight’s Kalispell City Council work session.
The city’s current zoning rules require rental periods of at least one month in areas zoned for residential use, effectively prohibiting those property owners from providing short-term rentals, also known as “vacation rentals by owner.” Rental agreements for less than one month are allowed in commercial areas as hotels and bed-and-breakfast operations.
City staffers identified about 35 vacation rentals operating out of compliance with their residential zoning.
In two previous work sessions and a regular meeting, the council heard residents offer both support and opposition to allowing the new use in residential areas. Several testified that the uses increase tax revenue and incentivize upkeep of rental houses, while others said they believed the rentals could lead to increases in noise and density, as well as a deterioration of neighborhoods.
The council initially considered allowing vacation rentals as a residential use during its May 2 regular meeting agenda, but voted to table it further discussion after residents contended that the rental agreements would increase noise and density in their neighborhoods.
As currently proposed, the zoning amendment would allow vacation rentals in residential areas as long as the owner adheres to density requirements and obtains a conditional use permit by getting a safety inspection, getting a state public accommodation license and registering for state bed tax purposes.
The amendment would also prohibit signs advertising the dwelling as a short-term rental.
The council will also hear a staff review of recommended changes to the 2008 Water and Wastewater Facility Plan to address increased development on the city’s south side.
The update was prepared for the city by HDR Engineering Inc. and is intended to aid planning for utility extensions to meet the needs of a growing population. It analyzes potential growth, estimates future water and sewer demands and provides infrastructure recommendations.
The council will continue discussions on a request for sewer service from a property owner outside the Evergreen Sewer District after requesting more information during the last work session.
City staff will present four options for the council to consider during a future meeting: approving the request, denying it, changing the sewer district boundary to include the 17-acre parcel or changing the boundary to include the property and adjacent properties to the west.
Changing the sewer district boundaries would also require the approval of the Evergreen Sewer District Board.
Tonight’s work session begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.
To view the full agenda and supporting documents, visit www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/agenda.php.
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