Post by High Priestess on Sept 8, 2016 14:23:44 GMT
See the news article:
watchdog.org/275116/idaho-city-using-zoning-laws-target-airbnb-hosts/
"Rexburg city officials recently sent letters to Airbnb hosts asking most of them to cease their activities. Rexburg’s zoning code forbids short-term rental activity in low-density housing areas such as subdivisions.
Property owners in medium-density zones can offer lodging through Airbnb, but only after they receive approval from the city zoning board.
Those with housing in high-density zones can offer Airbnb rentals without asking the city for permission.
Rexburg City Code Enforcement Officer Natalie Powell said the regulations keep the peace in neighborhoods, where homeowners move in expecting a certain lifestyle.
Airbnb “ends up causing havoc in those neighborhoods,” Powell told us last week. Powell said the short-term rentals can cause extra traffic on normally quiet city streets, and can disrupt the tranquility many homeowners seek.
In Rexburg’s Indian Hills neighborhood, some residents complained of large-scale parties and other disturbances they believed were associated with a homeowner’s use of Airbnb.
It’s not the first short-term rental incident to which an Idaho government has responded. Kootenai County, home to Coeur d’Alene, examined new regulations for short-term rentals after some homeowners there complained last year about a rowdy party at such a rental.
Powell said Rexburg wants to educate residents on the zoning rules. She is confident that some homeowners don’t know the regulations, and will stop renting once they learn them.
For Airbnb hosts like Bohman, who see extra revenue from the service but don’t depend on the cash to live, closing shop would be an inconvenience. But for a number of other hosts, shutting down could cause real hardship.
One Rexburg Airbnb host said Airbnb is his family’s main source of income. He’s exploring his next step, and will fight to keep his doors open to guests.
Powell said options are limited. Property owners in medium-density zones can apply for a conditional-use permit and go up before the planning and zoning board to plead their case. Those commissioners will assess the property for a number of factors, including adequate parking.
watchdog.org/275116/idaho-city-using-zoning-laws-target-airbnb-hosts/
"Rexburg city officials recently sent letters to Airbnb hosts asking most of them to cease their activities. Rexburg’s zoning code forbids short-term rental activity in low-density housing areas such as subdivisions.
Property owners in medium-density zones can offer lodging through Airbnb, but only after they receive approval from the city zoning board.
Those with housing in high-density zones can offer Airbnb rentals without asking the city for permission.
Rexburg City Code Enforcement Officer Natalie Powell said the regulations keep the peace in neighborhoods, where homeowners move in expecting a certain lifestyle.
Airbnb “ends up causing havoc in those neighborhoods,” Powell told us last week. Powell said the short-term rentals can cause extra traffic on normally quiet city streets, and can disrupt the tranquility many homeowners seek.
In Rexburg’s Indian Hills neighborhood, some residents complained of large-scale parties and other disturbances they believed were associated with a homeowner’s use of Airbnb.
It’s not the first short-term rental incident to which an Idaho government has responded. Kootenai County, home to Coeur d’Alene, examined new regulations for short-term rentals after some homeowners there complained last year about a rowdy party at such a rental.
Powell said Rexburg wants to educate residents on the zoning rules. She is confident that some homeowners don’t know the regulations, and will stop renting once they learn them.
For Airbnb hosts like Bohman, who see extra revenue from the service but don’t depend on the cash to live, closing shop would be an inconvenience. But for a number of other hosts, shutting down could cause real hardship.
One Rexburg Airbnb host said Airbnb is his family’s main source of income. He’s exploring his next step, and will fight to keep his doors open to guests.
Powell said options are limited. Property owners in medium-density zones can apply for a conditional-use permit and go up before the planning and zoning board to plead their case. Those commissioners will assess the property for a number of factors, including adequate parking.