WILLIAMS, Arizona — Short-term rental properties in Coconino County may be facing some serious changes.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (BOS), at its January 24 board meeting, directed the development and presentation of new ordinances regulating short-term rental properties in the county.
The Board acknowledged through public input that short-term rental properties have both positive and negative impacts on communities, and advised the county’s Community Development Agency and the County Attorney’s Office to address the issues unique to Coconino County’s unincorporated communities and neighborhoods. I have requested that an ordinance be drafted.
The main contents of the first draft of the ordinance are as follows.
• Allows Coconino County to request short-term rental property permits and collect up to $250 in permit fees.
• Landowners must notify neighbors and provide emergency contact information for the county.
• Asset owners must provide a trading privilege tax license number.
• Provides a definition of confirmed ordinance violations and a process to suspend or revoke short-term rental licenses based on confirmed violations.
• Prohibits property owners from allowing short-term rentals for special events or large gatherings that adversely affect residential areas.
• Property owners must maintain reasonable access to emergency services.
Since Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1350 into law in 2016, short-term rentals have been a contentious issue for some residents in Williams and other parts of the state. Rental of residential properties.
Senate Bill 1168, Arizona’s new state law enacted by the state legislature in 2022, gives local governments legal authority to regulate short-term rental properties within their jurisdiction. The law was enacted to hold landlords accountable and prevent large groups from getting out of hand. The law does not require permits, but allows cities the option of creating permits and providing some regulation for short-term residential rentals.
The purpose of Coconino County’s new ordinance is to establish a process and develop rules and standards for short-term rentals within the county.
“Until this last legislative session, Arizona law prohibited communities from banning or restricting short-term rentals,” said Patrice Horstmann, Board Chair and First District Supervisor. . “With the hands of local governments tied, some rental homes have become party houses, and board members have addressed issues such as noise, traffic, parking issues, garbage, and safety concerns in quiet residential neighborhoods. We have received complaints about negative impacts. Changes to the law allow local governments to obtain some limited oversight and permits for homes used for short-term rentals.”
Other Board members present at the January 24 meeting said that Coconino County should take advantage of the many benefits of properly regulating the short-term rental market to ensure a safe and livable neighborhood, and to promote local involvement in the short-term rental market. agreed that it is essential to enact oversight of -Regular rentals can contribute to the local economy.
“This is the result of our contact with Congress to express our concerns about the lack of regulatory authority over short-term rentals,” said 3rd Ward Supervisor Matt Ryan. “We have a limited but very important tool to promote voluntary compliance and encourage people to be good neighbors.”
The county will hold a hearing on February 28, and the board will hear public comment, consider the final ordinance, and possibly adopt it.
Other communities
Last year, in the City of Williams, it was estimated that between one-third and one-half of the city’s housing was short-term rental housing. The numbers suggest a successful tourism industry, but point to one major problem.
Not only are locals struggling to buy homes in Williams, they are losing out to investors looking for vacation rental properties. The inability to secure affordable housing is costing Williams valuable employees, especially healthcare providers and teachers.
The city, which took its first steps to regulate short-term rentals in January 2022, passed the following requirements, among others:
• Require short-term vacation rentals that are registered with the City and have a valid business license and valid TPT number.
• Short term rental units must undergo initial and annual fire safety inspections and comply with all fire codes and regulations.
• Establish fees to cover costs associated with processing and tracking registrations and annual fire/safety inspections.
Following the passage of SB 1168, the Williams City Council passed the Emergency Vacation Rental Ordinance in October, requiring homeowners to meet various conditions and obtain permits.
These terms mandate, among other things, that the landlord undergo a fire/safety inspection signed by the city’s fire marshal, pay a $65 annual inspection fee, provide proof of liability insurance, and live in the United States. bottom.
The city also began requiring a permit fee of $125 for the first year and $75 for each renewal year.
The new Senate bill states that if an applicant fails to meet the above requirements, is a registered sex offender, is convicted of a felony that causes death or serious injury, or is convicted of a mortal felony gave the city the power to deny permits if Weapons of the last five years.
“There are many properties that were previously rental properties that have been converted to vacation rental homes. I believe people have the right to do what they want with their property within reason.” said Williams Mayor Don Dent. We also have an obligation to ensure that
Many cities such as Scottsdale, Mesa, and Sedona are also beginning to introduce permits.
As of February 15, all short-term rentals operating within the city limits of Sedona require a permit. Sedona has also established a 24/7 hotline number, providing locals with a valuable resource when short-term rentals in the neighborhood fail to comply with rules and regulations regarding garbage, and reduce noise, ugliness, and other nuisances similar to those applicable to other residential uses.
Members of the public who wish to hear and participate in the county hearing on February 28 can do so via a Zoom conference call at the link and phone number provided at bit.y/CCShortTermRental. Anyone wishing to provide written comments should email Jess McNeely, Assistant to Community Development His Director at wmcneely@coconino.az.gov, at least 24 hours prior to his hearing time. allows you to do so.
