Title
Short Term Rental Ordinance - Recommendation
Recommended Action
Recommend approval of the attached ordinance to the Olympia City Council.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend that the Olympia City Council approve the attached ordinance adopting regulations on short term rentals consistent with guiding principles established by the City Council's Land Use and Environment Committee.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Catherine McCoy, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3776
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Director, Community Planning and Development,
Catherine McCoy, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the short-term rental ordinance on April 19, 2021. After closing the public hearing, the Commission continued the matter to tonight's meeting for deliberations.
Background
Short-term rentals, also known as vacation rentals, exist in Olympia neighborhoods as room rentals or rentals of entire living units, primarily in single family homes and multifamily units. City residents, property owners, and stakeholder groups (such as short-term rental operators) have shared their stories and first-hand experience renting, owning, and living adjacent to short-term rental units.
The Washington State Legislature has adopted some regulations for short term rentals (RCW 64.37). The City of Olympia currently does not have specific regulations addressing short term rentals. However, in 2019 the City Council's Land Use and Environment Committee directed staff to conduct a public process to propose regulations that carry out the following six guiding principles:
1. Housing: Establish protections for the supply and affordability of housing.
2. Health and Safety: Identify unwanted behaviors and negative consequences.
3. Neighborhood Integrity: Minimize impacts and tensions between short term rentals and...
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