Washoe County’s Board of Commissioners recently greenlit proposed changes to short-term rental (STR) regulations, despite reservations voiced by Commissioners Mike Clark and Jeanne Herman. Clark criticized the county’s involvement in STR regulation, citing issues like parking, noise, trash, and fees. He argued that the program’s expenses disproportionately impact a minority of residents, leading to an unnecessary bureaucratic expansion.
STRs, including Airbnb and Vrbo rentals, have been contentious in Washoe County, exacerbated by a housing shortage and the conversion of long-term homes into short-term rentals. In Incline Village, homeowners face challenges such as limited parking, bear-attracting trash, and disturbances caused by vacationers.
- Among the proposed changes, one significant adjustment bans the use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as STRs in the Lake Tahoe area, a move deemed “absolutely critical” by a public commentator.
- Additionally, violations issued by other agencies, like the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, would count towards STR permits, with penalties escalating until the county revokes the license.
Commissioner Clara Andriola emphasized the importance of enforcement, questioning associated costs. Trevor Lloyd, a planning manager, acknowledged that increased fees and penalties wouldn’t cover STR enforcement costs but viewed them as incentives for compliance.
Clark expressed concerns about continuous county expansion, particularly in hiring staff for enforcement. Despite fee increases in October and the addition of temporary staff, Clark worried about the snowball effect, urging fiscal restraint.
Other proposed amendments focus on:
- Streamline permitting details.
- Allow STR owners to adjust renewal dates by paying a pro-rated fee.
- Eliminate notary requirements.
- Shorten the appeal period.
- Decouple STR permits from property sales; new owners must secure their permits, and revoked permits bar reapplication for a year.
County staff engaged residents through local workshops, with 76 participants in the latest round, and received over 50 written comments. Incline Village residents, grateful for changes, called for additional measures, including caps on STR permits.
Despite the divide, Commissioners Alexis Hill, Mariluz Garcia, and Clara Andriola voted to move forward with the proposed amendments, while Commissioner Herman dissented, and Commissioner Clark was absent from the vote.