City officials in Coeur d’Alene are asking the public to weigh in on a proposed law that details rules and regulations for vacation rentals.

The draft ordinance calls for permits for all vacation rentals, requires a two-day minimum stay for renters and disqualifies renovated garages and other types of accessory dwellings from being considered vacation, or short-term, rental properties. The suggested law also requires a reponsible party be available to address complaints or issues 24 hours per day when a vacation unit is occupied by a renter.

The city is accepting public comment on the proposed ordinance through Oct. 16.

The proposed city code comes after several years of discussion about the need for a vacation rental law, said Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor. Those talks intensified in November 2014, when Planning Director Hilary Anderson was hired by the city.

“This was in part because we were hearing from some council members, such as Council member Dan Gookin, and from residents, that we needed to regulate vacation rentals because of impacts to neighborhoods,” Taylor said. “We were hearing from bed and breakfasts about how they were being impacted by vacation rentals and regulated differently. We were also seeing the number of vacation rentals increase exponentially within the community.”

In January, the City Council directed city staff to draft an ordinance and gather public input as the new city code is developed. A community-wide survey done earlier this year attracted 603 participants, and additional input was gathered in April from Planning Commission members and members of the public.

“There are definitely two sides,” Anderson said.

Some people think there is a strong need for regulations, and others want none, she said.

The survey, which drew responses from primarily residents of Coeur d’Alene who don’t own vacation rentals, showed most support vacation rentals in residential areas. A majority of survey respondents also indicated they support an ordinance.

A factor in planning the new city law, one that was important to the planning commission and other parties involved, is that it be a “light touch ordinance,” Anderson said. “It’s not heavy-handed, like it’s been done in other states.”

In some states, there are laws that limit the number of times per month or year a homeowner is legally allowed to rent a property for less than 30 days.

Anderson said homeowners who rent single-family dwellings to vacationers will often argue that it’s still a single-family use. But city officials consider that a form of commerce, she said, and have determined it should be regulated like other businesses.

“We really want people to comply. That’s why we’re making it so simple,” Anderson said.

If the ordinance becomes a city law, existing vacation rental properties will have to be permitted. None will be grandfathered. The owner or manager of a vacation rental property will be required to include the permit number on all advertisements.

Legal occupancy limits of vacation rental units will align with the city’s existing residential definition of “family.”

Vacation renters also have laws they must abide by, and along with the new ordinance, city staff members have developed a “Good Neighbor” pamphlet that under the new law, will have to be provided to guests.

The pamphlet offers a message from the city to vacation renters: “Common courtesy and respect go a long way. Loud music, unruly parties, and improper parking are code violations. They will not be tolerated and neighbors are encouraged to report violations to the police. Conduct yourself accordingly and welcome to our world-class resort community. You will love it here.”

The pamphlet provides the maximum overnight occupancy limit between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for vacation rentals and explains the definition of “family” under the city’s residential occupancy laws. A “family” is one or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption; or no more than four persons who are unrelated by blood, marriage or adoption; or no more than a total combination of five persons related or unrelated.

Members of the public can review the draft ordinance, the “Good Neighbor” pamphlet and the permit application by visiting cdaid.org/vacationrentals.

Comments can be provided to Planner Sean Holm at [email protected] or by calling 676-7401.

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Maureen Dolan can be reached at [email protected] or @MaureenCDAPress.