COEUR d’ALENE — The city of Coeur d’Alene is moving ahead with plans to identify short-term rentals operating without permits.

The General Services/Public Works Committee on Monday approved a request that the city hire a St. Paul, Minn., company for STR host compliance services for $51,784.

“One of the items that we really feel are important to move forward with is actually gathering some of the data of where all the units are,” said Renata McLeod, municipal services director during the meeting in the Library Community Room. “Obviously, you know where the legal units are.”

It plans to cover the cost of hiring Granicus with a fee increase for STR permits, both new applications and renewals. A hearing would be held before the fee increase could take effect in March.

“One thing I think it is important that we get the data, get something going,” said Councilman Dan English.

The city has been considering ways to deal with a rising number of STRs. Many residents have complained they are hurting neighborhoods due to noise, trash and vehicles and RVs parked in streets, as well as strangers walking around.

According to a city report, Coeur d'Alene has about 840 to 1,200 vacation rentals, with only 453 legally permitted.

“In order for staff to make the best recommendations on how to proceed with future permitting, it is important to identify where the illegal rental units are located and what effect that is having on the neighborhood integrity,” the report said.

The city has said it does not have the staff or resources to monitor rental websites and enforce compliance to be sure STRs have permits.

City staff contacted three companies. All offered identification, notification, 24/7 hotline, compliance letters/documentation based on code, issuance of permits and collection of fees.

The city would provide the workflow for the hotline so it ensures documentation of violations and that the correct staff is notified, such as police, code enforcement or licensing.

The initial cost of paying Granicus would come from the general fund. It would be reimbursed starting with the new STR license fees in March.

Currently, an STR application permit is $285, while the annual renewal is $89. Based on the current 453 permits, it would be an additional $114.30 per permit to cover the %1,784.

McLeod said the company would need about six weeks, possibly longer due to the holidays, to identify unlicensed STRs and provide the city with names and addresses.

“So we wanted to jump on this now and get started,” she said.

The city is still looking into new rules for STRs and how many units will be allowed. It might limit the number of STRs on a block, as some have several.

The current fine for operating an STR without a permit is $100. The city may increase that substantially.

STR owners have argued the city doesn't need new rules and should just enforce the current ones, described as a "light touch," adopted in 2017. They have said that STRs bolster the economy, bring guests to town, and are not the source of problems of which they are accused.

The proposal will go before the City Council for discussion and possible action at its next meeting.