Dalton Gardens ponders regulations for short-term rentals

Dalton Gardens is reviewing a new ordinance for short-term rentals, which would require property owners to register annually, with registrations expiring March 31 each year. This move follows similar regulations proposed by nearby municipalities, including Coeur d'Alene. Last week, the city council and planning and zoning board held a joint workshop to discuss the topic.

The proposed ordinance outlines several key regulations. Property owners would need to renew their registration yearly, and registrations would automatically expire upon property sale or transfer. The use of RVs, trailers, tents or accessory structures as rentals would be prohibited. Additionally, the number of overnight guests would be limited to twice the number of bedrooms in a dwelling.

While Dalton Gardens hasn't experienced significant issues with nuisances at short-term rentals, officials expressed interest in tracking complaints. Councilor Sue Supp suggested exploring limits on nuisance calls within specific time frames. The workshop also touched on potential noise and light restrictions, though concerns were raised about the additional enforcement burden on city officials.

The proposed rental application would provide guidelines for owners to enforce among tenants, in line with current residential codes. The city council will need to set annual fees for property owners to apply, as the short-term rental applications are not considered a permitted process.

The new regulations aim to balance the interests of property owners, residents, and city officials while addressing the growing trend of short-term rentals in the area.