Government rules and regulations on Short Term Rentals

[Patty0]

My county in Colorado will pass a cap on all STRs to 30 reservations a year. Can they do this? Is it legal? Does any other hosts have these caps? 

[Sudsrung0]

@Patty0 

It seems to be happening in many places in the US maybe you have to change the way you host

[Lorna170]

@Patty0    30 reservations or 30 nights?

[Patty0]

30 reservations. They said we need to encourage longer stays.

[Basha0]

maybe consider reaching out to a real estate attorney. Seems that if you already have aSTR permit then you should be grandfathered in

[Fred13]

Will pass? Meaning is not done yet? If so, STRers in your local are best get together and present your case united at their next pow-wow, and show how economically valuable you all are to the local economy. The influence of money (and the local yokel hotel/motel industry) is usually at the core of these council decisions.

[Patty0]

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/summit-county-commissioners-approve-package-of-short-term-rental-re...

It was approved yesterday, goes into effect October 1st.

[Ana2038 · Accepted solution]

@Patty0 , cities and or counties can and do implement various municipal/county codes as it pertains to housing (especially when housing is located in R1 zone-residential).  As, @Fred13 , has suggested you need to get involved with other STR owners in your area, form a group and present your arguments against such restrictions.

We did this when our local planning commission attempted to ban STRs in our city. You will find a lot of municipalities have a misunderstanding of STRs. I also encourage that on-site/local STRs property owners (those who live within the city/county ) be the ones who speak/ express their support of STRs. One of the biggest complaint is STRs owned by off site, out of town and/or state STRs owners who are not invested/care about the local community (This is not to say that off site STRs property don’t care about the local community-any argument against banning/restricting comes off better when presented by local STRs owners). Do your research and then present your case to the local/county authorities.

We were successful with our presentation/show of force that the our planning commission put on hold until further notice any ban/restriction on STRs. 

[Fred13]

Well set @Ana2038, coming from their neighbors carries a lot more weight than absentee owners or some 'legal eagle'.

[Patty0]

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/summit-county-commissioners-approve-package-of-short-term-rental-re...

I really like your comment. Thank you!

[Sheila646]

Hi, Patty! I am sorry to hear they are going forward with that. It seems like a lot of the counties and municipalities have not been taking a nuanced approach to STRs. I know in your county you are up against the big resort properties that are rarely able to provide the kind of unique setting that Airbnb hosts can. I know a lot of the sales people at the mountain properties and their job is to get heads in beds. Nothing wrong with that, but this law is  effectively restricting  competition.

I'm sure there are some valid concerns about traffic and noise. Those issues can be handled with different ordinances, so I think the real concern is neighbors not wanting "strangers" in the neighborhood. Some people are paranoid, some people just don't want to deal with clueless tourists. The reasons are legion. 

As much as the locals may not want tourists in their enclaves, I'm sure they don't like the resorts pushing them around either. I think it's good advice to get involved with the local STR hosts to speak out against this rule and start a conversation about more nuanced approaches to handling STRs. 

Also, I noticed your listing is a bedroom in a condo. Are you living there? If so, what is the difference to your neighbors between you having family every weekend to stay (who might leave you some money for expenses) and having new unknown guests every weekend? They can't really tell you who you can have in your own home and when, especially if you are there managing the situation. Another reason for taking a more nuanced approach to regulations.

Good luck with your situation! 

[Sheila646]

Not my letter, but did you see this?

Letter to the Editor: The county’s short-term rental rules are taking away income

https://www.summitdaily.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-the-countys-short-term-rental-rules-are-tak...