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Longmont is moving forward with what it calls "Short Term Vacation Rentals", or STVR's. These are the kind of rentals that allow people to rent out a room, several rooms or an entire property on a short term (less than 30 day) basis. Simplifying this process are services like Airbnb, Booking.com, Homestay and Flipkey.
The City of Longmont staff put together a proposal for the City Council to consider.
Following is a summary of the initial proposal:
The draft amendments would allow short-term vacation rentals (STVR) as a temporary use under Chapter 15.04. A non-transferable temporary use permit would be valid for one year and would automatically renew if there are no outstanding issues or violations, and the STVR is in compliance with current regulations.
The following is a summary of proposed amendments:
- STVR would be allowed in all zoning districts where residential dwellings are allowed.
- STVR would not be subject to distance separation requirements from other STVR or a limit on the number of STVR in a geographic area.
- The maximum stay would be 30 days or less consistent with industry and building code standards. No minimum stay is proposed at this time.
- STVR of entire dwellings could be either owner-occupied or investment properties.
- STVR of individual rooms would be limited to owner-occupied properties.
- STVR occupancy would be limited to two persons per each legal conforming bedroom.
- No maximum number of rental days in a calendar year are proposed.
- No additional parking would be required for STVR.
- No exterior advertising signs would be allowed for STVR.
- STVR would be required to obtain a City sales and use tax license and comply with the City lodgers tax.
In addition to the proposed amendments for the LDC, local amendments to the Building Code would be required to accommodate short-term vacation rentals.
Visit Longmont, the city entity that, among other things, encourages people to visit Longmont and use its hotels, endorsed this proposal and encouraged the City Council to approve it.
Out of the total 37,000 dwelling units in Longmont, approximately 1/10th of 1% are Short Term Vacation Rentals.
Starting out the discussion Council Member Polly Christensen expressed that she was against having STVR's in Longmont and cited 'an Airbnb house' behind her house. Council Member Joan Peck agreed with her. Additional examples were cited by Christensen for why we shouldn't allow STVR's. Mayor Dennis Coombs commented that some of these examples seemed a little extreme and that STVR's where similar to regular renters. Council Member Brian Bagley agreed with Coombs that they were like any rental in town and then asked should we limit all rentals? There was no response.
Christensen reiterated, again, that she didn't like STVR's. Coombs said that he thought these new rules leveled the playing field and that was a good thing. Peck then proposed that only private owner occupied homes should be allowed and that no investment property homes should be allowed to list as STVRs.
Council Member Gabe Santos then commented that he liked STVR's and he preferred renting a home when vacationing vs. a hotel room and proposed that the council move forward with the proposal as is. Council Member Jeff Moore commented that safety is the most important concern and that we should allow STVR's to move forward in Longmont.
Christensen, again, said Longmont shouldn't allow STVR's.
The council voted to move forward with the proposal as is. The tally was 6-1 in favor with Christensen voting against.
Bagley then moved that the sprinkler system requirement on investment properties be removed from the proposal. The council voted to remove this requirement. The tally was 6-1 in favor with Christensen voting against.
Christensen then, again, said she was against STVR's and that we should reach out to a broader audience of people and ask what they think we should do.
Peck moved that investment properties be removed from consideration and not be allowed to become STVR's. Council voted against this proposal with Moore, Bagley, Coombs, Finley and Santo's voting against.
It was now after 11 pm and the council promptly adjourned.
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