My Turn: VRBO: What's behind recent protest

A famous William Shakespeare quote “Methinks thou dost protest too much” has worked its way into the urban dictionary regarding someone who vehemently accuses someone else of a grievance yet seems to be hiding the real agenda. Recently, Anne Patterson wrote a Guest Opinion to the CDA Press that maligned me for going to the county government.

The topic is short-term rentals in Kootenai County, something my unknown critic decided to respond to in a CDA Press article that reporter Madison Hardy wrote. Madison Hardy actually attended the Board of County Commissioner meeting that several neighbors attended in person or via Zoom. But it seems that Anne Patterson is an expert in this area. Why? Does she not agree with taxpayers bringing issues to the county? Or is it something else? Instead of staying with the issues she attacks the messenger. Ah, a very liberal tactic indeed.

Well, I was surprised that she decided to Google my address to learn that I lived in the rural county and addressed the appropriate county officials providing them with detailed information. So, to be fair I decided to look up her address. It seems that Ms. Patterson owns a short-term rental in Coeur d'Alene that used to be a VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) but is now advertised on an apartment.com site as a short-term or long-term rental. By the way, there is no permit with Coeur d'Alene for that rental either.

Short-term rentals are growing and taxing districts have set up guidelines to regulate them. The City of Coeur d'Alene officials were visionaries when they instituted their ordinances in 2018. A short-term rental is considered a business and the Idaho legislators approved them with the knowledge that taxes would be collected on them. More popular short-term rental companies like VRBO do the collections for you. Advertising on private websites or little-known websites may not be collecting the required taxes. Here are some of the City of Coeur d'Alene guidelines on these rentals.

• All State and local paid on the business

• A business permit is required and a fee of $285.00 with annual renewals

• Neighbors have to be notified of a short-term rental

• Fire safety equipment in place

• A parking plan in place

• No RV, Travel trailer, tent or temporary shelter is allowed

• Subject to zoning restrictions

Oh yes, there are penalties involved for not permitting a short-term rental. I would highly recommend going to the CDA Short Term Rental page for more details.

Recently the Drudge Report carried a story regarding Ketchum, Idaho floating the idea of creating a tent city for nurses, teachers and other workers because many rentals were turned into short-term rentals depleting long-term rental supply. Other counties in Idaho and all across this nation have ordinances for them so why should Kootenai County be the exception?

I was pleased that Anne Patterson decided to come out of the shadows in this area because it proves that ordinances need to be in place. After all, who would think that people would not follow the Idaho county and city laws by not obtaining a permit for their business yet shackling their neighbors with more of a tax burden and not paying their fair share? Yes, indeed Ms. Patterson, “Methinks thou protest too much” for a reason.

Lorri Erickson is a Coeur d'Alene resident.