SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners denied a vacation rental permit appeal which requested that a vacation rental maximum capacity be adjusted to 12 people instead of nine for a rental property in Coolin.  

County commissioners moved to reaffirm the decision made by the county’s planning director, which follows Bonner County Revised Code section 12-484 and indicates the maximum allowed occupants of a rental are determined by the amount of available, off-street parking spots. The code states that three occupants can be considered for every off-street spot, as opposed to the four that were originally allowed before a 2024 code revision.  

Commissioners Brian Domke and Ron Korn were in agreeance with the Planning Department, noting that county code “implements safeguards within its code to address the health, safety and welfare in the protection of the integrity of the residential neighborhood.” 

Permit appellants made the argument that they were not notified of the change before their rental permit was approved, stating that their rental would only be able to house nine renters instead of 12, like years prior.  

According to the appellant’s open brief document, the owners have had a vacation rental permit for an occupancy of 12 people since 2021. The rental has served as a gathering place for family reunions, vacations and other family-oriented events — with some booked out until summer 2026.  

Documents indicate that the permit appellants could face up to $32,000 in losses due to cancelled reservations and reputation damage.  

The rental is located in Huckleberry development, which also includes a nearby common area next to tennis courts. The appellants based their appeal on the notion that, since they shared ownership of the common area, it could be used to supplement the rental’s limited parking availability.   

However, county commissioners agreed that utilizing a common area for renters wasn't considered a designated area, which was a necessity highlighted in county code.  

“Designated is the key term, because that’s where we get into the conversation, which I think is the primary discussion point of the appellant of the HOA parking. But the HOA is first come, first serve, not based on designation,” said Domke.