PORT ANGELES — Clallam County planners have simplified proposed regulations for vacation rentals.
The revised ordinance waives a $50 mandatory inspection for those who have had their building checked by a qualified person or organization, officials said.
It relies on existing county codes to regulate septic systems and to prevent neighborhood nuisances, Senior Planner Donella Clark told commissioners Monday.
The ordinance was amended based on testimony that commissioners received in an Aug. 23 public hearing, Community Development Director Mary Ellen Winborn said.
“I appreciate the way you’ve been able to consider the person that doesn’t have a lot of money and the fees associated with managing that property,” Commissioner Bill Peach said in a board work session.
Commissioners directed staff to send the revised proposal to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a final review and to determine whether another public hearing is needed before the board takes action.
“My sense is that this ordinance does a very good job of providing some boundaries without over-regulating an industry that at this point doesn’t appear to need to be overly regulated,” Commissioner Mark Ozias said.
“And I appreciate that you can make adjustments as the industry of vacation rentals continues to evolve over the next few years.”
Two dozen speakers testified at last month’s hearing, 10 of whom identified themselves as vacation rental owners or managers.
The testimony was split among industry proponents and neighbors who were concerned about noise, traffic, septic system capacity and other impacts.
Some proponents said enforcement of existing rules and regulations would address their neighbors’ concerns.
Under the new proposal, those who have already had their vacation rental inspected for adequate egress, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and other safety features would not need a second inspection.
“What was said in the public hearing was people didn’t seem opposed to having these inspections done, but they didn’t want to have two done,” Clark told commissioners.
“So if they have an insurance company that already provides that service, we’re OK in lieu of our department going out. But if our department does have to go out and inspect the property, we are going to request a $50 fee.”
Vacation rental septic systems would be inspected like any other home.
“It’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their vacation rental occupancy is consistent with the desired [septic system] capacity,” Clark said.
“We’re not requiring that they have an inspection up front. They will, then, as they are doing their routine maintenance of their septic system, learn whether they are overloading it or not.
“And since they’re already supposed to be doing that regular inspection, we feel like that’s covered.”
The vacation rental ordinance would require owners to notify their guests about existing noise regulations, rules of conduct and seasonal burn bans.
Guests would be required to keep trash and recyclables in secured containers that “shall not create a nuisance of odor or attract animals,” according to the proposal.
Vacation rentals would be defined as single-family dwellings occupied by guests for 30 days or less.
Bed and breakfasts, which are already defined in county code, have an owner or property manager staying on site.
Ozias thanked Clark for incorporating the public input into the draft and for providing a staff report that “helps all of us understand your thought process.”
There are roughly 400 vacation rentals in the county, officials have said.
“Clallam County needs to recognize the use of vacation rentals since they exist in the community, and DCD needs regulations in order to enforce the use, neighborhoods need assurance that there are rules by which to abide, guests need to feel safe and accepted and business owners need to be accountable and know what is expected in order to operate a successful business,” Clark concluded in her report.
“This ordinance is believed to accomplish all this and may require review in the future.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
