Here’s how to comment on the city’s proposed AirBnB-type rental regulations
Olympia’s Planning Commission is soliciting public feedback on new regulations for operators of AirBnB and other short-term rental properties.
Currently, the city does not have any regulations specific to short-term rentals. A current search of airbnb.com pulls up about 126 rentals within the city limits.
The city released a preliminary draft document on Tuesday, which outlined licensing and permitting requirements for short-term rentals, capping the number of units an operator can own to 3, and other safety and permitting regulations.
The rules apply to any lodging that is not a hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast, and is rented for a fee for less than 30 nights.
Within this, the proposal distinguishes two different types of short-term rentals:
- Homestays: For residents who want to rent out rooms in the unit where they live, this would be considered a “Homestay.” Homestays would not need to be permitted, but they would need to obtain a city and state business license.
- Vacation Rentals: These are defined as an entire dwelling unit that is rented for overnight stays, where the owner does not live on site. Vacation rentals would require both a city permit and a city and state business license.
The proposed regulations for short-term rentals include:
- A maximum of 3 short-term rental units in Olympia per property owner.
- A maximum of two short-term rental units per parcel.
- A limit of 10 occupants per unit.
- Units would not be allowed in industrial zones.
- When renting more than two bedrooms, one additional off-street parking space would be required.
- A local contact must be available 24/7 within 15 minutes of the unit.
- Guidelines, copy of license and permit number, emergency contacts, floor and evacuation plan must be posted.
- Vacation rentals are allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) only if legally established prior to the effective date of the regulations. A grace period is allowed for existing, non-permitted ADUs to obtain permits.
Some of the regulations are mandated by a 2019 Washington State House Bill, HB 1798, which required short-term rental operators to register with the state, meet certain safety requirements, pay taxes, and obtain liability insurance.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Cindy Ryu, a Democrat from Shoreline, said the bill’s intention was to “even the playing field” between hotels and vacation rentals.
After HB 1798 passed last year, Olympia began an outreach and research process to develop its own regulations.
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing before making a recommendation to City Council, which could happen sometime in October, according to a timeline on the city’s website.
The commission invites members of the public to leave a comment on the short-term rentals webpage.
This story was originally published August 28, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
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