EDITORIAL: Local government should have STR oversight

Rep. Jordan Redman does a good job for North Idaho and most of the time his work at the Legislature is on target. But when it comes to House Bill 583, which he sponsored, we think he's a little off base.

HB 583 addresses how counties and cities can legally deal with short-term rentals. In effect, it limits what they can do when it comes to STRs, of which Coeur d'Alene has an abundance.

Under the bill, counties and cities may only enact ordinances on short-term rentals to address the following:

• Requirements for smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and removable escape ladders

• Requirements for occupant limits in accordance with international building codes 

• Requirements for informational handouts and the location of exits, first-aid kits, and contact information of the owner or manager of the property.

That's reasonable and fine, pretty much the same as any property. But it doesn't address the true concerns of locals: How STRs impact them and their community.

Redman has said the intention of the bill is to ensure property owners can use their homes for temporary lodging without facing “undue regulation and burdens” from local jurisdictions. This bill has support. It passed the House Business Committee on Monday and easily passed the House, 54-16, on Thursday. It will likely pass the Senate and head to Gov. Brad Little.

Idaho is big on private property rights. People are protective of being able to do what they want with their property. Many will argue they count on their STRs to help pay bills, and we don't want them to lose that ability.

But we do think local government should have a serious say in the matter, not a cursory one. This bill essentially strips cities and counties of their ability to manage STRs. 

The city of Coeur d'Alene took aim at STRs a few years ago as there were growing concerns they were adversely affecting neighborhoods through noise, parking and strangers. Others said they were driving up rent by taking long-term rentals out of the market.

Then, it was estimated there were between 840 and 1,200 vacation rentals in the city, with only about 450 legally permitted. The City Council approved an agreement with Granicus, based in St. Paul, Minn., for short-term rental host compliance services. Among its tasks was to identify owners of non-licensed STRs.

The city considered limiting the number of STR permits it would issue and talked about fines of up to $5,000 for illegally operating a short-term rental.

But the CDA-Vacation Rental Alliance objected and threatened legal action. The alliance said the proposal illegally restricted homeowners' rights, violated Idaho law, attacked tourism and created fear in the vacation rental communities. The alliance presented statistical evidence to the city on the minimal noise and disturbance complaints attributable to permitted STRs. 

Their argument carried the day. 

We are not advocating for local government to have a heavy hand on how people can use their property, particularly when it comes to earning income from it. An STR also offers an owner benefits a long-term rental does not, such as the ability to access the home often.

But we also can't dismiss concerns that the growing number of STRs negatively impacts neighborhoods by removing that sense of unity that links a community. 

We are saying that STRs must be permitted and those operating without a permit should face fines. Local governments should have the authority to address these housing concerns.