Title
Short-term Rental Scope of Work
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the scope of work for addressing short-term rentals. Briefing only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing from staff introducing an overall scope of work for addressing short-term rentals, including key policy areas and methods for engaging the community and key stakeholders.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Catherine McCoy, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3776
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development
Catherine McCoy, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
Short-term rentals are one of the best known and widely used examples of the rapidly growing sharing economy. Some of the most commonly known online short-term rental platforms include: Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and Flipkey. Some of these platforms are owned by larger travel-related companies, such as Expedia, Priceline, and Trip Advisor. Nationwide data provided at the 2019 National Planning Conference showed that 25 percent of all overnight stays are in short-term rentals. This is an 82 percent increase since 2016. More than 80 percent of short-term rentals are entire living units, as opposed to room rentals. Fifty-seven percent of these units are single-family houses; 43 percent are multi-family units.
A complimentary search in April 2019 by Host Compliance, a company that assists local governments with short-term rental regulations and enforcement, revealed 166 listings and 140 rental units in Olympia (see attached map).
Planners in Community Planning and Development regularly field phone calls from citizens who are interested in hosting a short-term rental. Code enforcement staff receive inquiries about properties suspected to...
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