The city of Coeur d'Alene said it opposes legislation that would limit its authority over short-term rentals.

"It’s my hope that our legislature values local control and appreciates the efforts made by city staff to provide fair and balanced rules regarding STRs within our community," Mayor Dan Gookin said Friday. "We do so on behalf of families who invest in a neighborhood as well as those on limited income who rely upon STR revenue to help pay the bills."

The Idaho Vacation Rental Association applauded the Idaho House of Representatives for passing House Bill 583, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Redman, which it says affirms private property rights while preserving reasonable local enforcement authority.

The bill passed 54-16 and will move on to the Senate.

Spencer Bailey, president of the Idaho Vacation Rental Association, said House Bill 583 ensures that homeowners "who responsibly rent their homes are not subjected to discriminatory or burdensome regulations simply because of the duration of a stay."

House Bill 583 clarifies that short-term rentals are a lawful residential use and may not be regulated more restrictively than comparable residential properties, according to an IVRA release. At the same time, the legislation preserves local authority to enforce noise, parking, public safety, and nuisance laws that apply to all residents.

“This bill protects neighborhoods while respecting lawful home use,” Bailey added. “It reinforces that regulation should focus on behavior, not prohibition, and that property owners deserve consistent treatment statewide.”

Coeur d'Alene officials aren't so sure.

The city has had issues with permitted and unpermitted STRs. Some residents have complained that they increase traffic in neighborhoods, bring in strangers, create noise problems and reduce the number of long-term rentals. A few years ago, the city considered limiting the number of STR permits, but did not.

Gookin said the city has done a fair job of balancing the needs of year-round residents and families with those of STR owners who want to keep their properties in the city.

He said he is often surprised by the statements from those pushing to remove what he considers reasonable rules for STRs. 

"Some of the statements just aren’t true, such as that the City of Coeur d’Alene limits the total number of STRs," Gookin said. "Our regulations are geared around public safety and accountability on behalf of the neighbors."

 But Gookin also said Idaho is divided into counties and cities for a reason: local control. 

"Elected representatives in city hall are better equipped to handle problems specific to Coeur d’Alene than 105 legislators 400 miles away, where over 97 percent of them do not live here," he said.

Kevin Jester, who serves on the ignite cda board and the city's Design Review Commission, said he and his wife have lived in an established Coeur d'Alene neighborhood for nearly 50 years and have seen many changes. In the past 10 years, several properties have turned from full-time residences to STRs.

He said that while some STR owners are good stewards, they have experienced noise, congestion, overflowing garbage and a lack of upkeep.  

"Regulation and oversight to protect integrity of the neighborhood is therefore paramount to those who choose to live as full-time community members," he said.

Jester said HB 583 appears to strip away all local control, remove language on safety and the general welfare intended to protect the integrity of residential neighborhoods, and prohibit communities from imposing a license, fee, permit, certification, or registration to operate a short-term rental.  

He said those regulations and standards protect the property values of not only full-time residents but also STRs.  

"We must look at preserving the culture and characteristics that make this community unique.  We must look at the bigger picture of sustaining the quality of living in a resort community and not simply what can generate income for the few," Jester said.

He said STRs can operate in established neighborhoods with proper licensing and regulation while still preserving essential protections for neighboring property owners. 

A balanced framework that limits overregulation while preserving basic safety and local oversight is an achievable goal," Jester said.

The city of Coeur d’Alene, the Association of Idaho Cities and Resort Cities Coalition all oppose House Bill 583. The city issued the following statement Friday:

"We urge community members to contact their Senators to reject House Bill 583 — the Airbnb/Realtor bill that prioritizes money and corporate interests over local communities and removes common‑sense, accountability, safety, and local control — and to support Senate Bill 1263 based on best practices from the Airbnb Toolkit and negotiated in good faith by the Resort Cities Coalition. We feel the current State Statutes don’t need to be modified, but if changes must be made, Senate Bill 1263 would at least preserve some local control, allow for basic safety provisions, accountability of STR owners, and limit overregulation."

According to information provided by the city of Coeur d'Alene, SB 1263 also: 

• Distinguishes small, family-owned STRs from large investor-based portfolios 

• Business licenses, allowed only for large operators (4-plus STRs in one jurisdiction or $10,000-plus in annual revenue

• Allows registration and requires a local contact person for emergencies 

• Allows occupancy limits consistent with residential building codes

Coeur d'Alene's Interim Police Chief, Dave Hagar, said that, from a police perspective, a registration system for short-term rental owners is important for public safety and for responding to incidents involving STRs.

He said in some cases, the neighbors to STRs will call regarding parties, fights, or other criminal events at the location, and officers need to be able to contact a responsible party, whether it be the owner or the management company, to assist in addressing the issue.  

"It is common for disturbances and domestic violence incidents to occur while people are vacationing and consuming alcohol and or drugs and we respond to these incidents at short-term rentals," Hagar said. 

The CDA-Vacation Rental Alliance previously said the proposal illegally restricts homeowners' rights, violates Idaho law, undermines tourism and creates fear in vacation rental communities.

The alliance says it presented statistical evidence to the city on the minimal noise and disturbance complaints attributable to permitted STRs.

"The push continues to create punitive new rules which will do nothing to preserve neighborhood integrity," it said.

The IVRA said short-term rentals play a vital role in Idaho’s tourism economy, particularly in rural and recreation-based communities where traditional lodging options are limited. 

"For many Idaho families, responsible home-renting provides meaningful supplemental income and supports small businesses across the state," the release said.

IVRA thanked Redman for his leadership and commitment to protecting Idaho property owners. The association also expressed appreciation to Speaker Mike Moyle and the members of the Idaho House of Representatives, "who supported the bill and advanced fair, consistent policy for homeowners statewide."

    Gookin