PORT TOWNSEND —The Port Townsend City Council will again discuss a resolution dealing with short-term rentals during a workshop Monday night.
The issue has been discussed at length by the city council and the city’s planning commission since last year due to a shortage of rentals for people working and living in Port Townsend.
The draft resolution that will be reviewed by the council would update the city’s municipal code in regard to the operation of bed-and-breakfasts, hotels and tourist homes.
The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St.
No decisions will be made at Monday’s meeting, and there is no time set for public comment on the issue.
The issue was last discussed at the council’s Feb. 26 meeting, where the planning commission presented its recommendations to the council.
The planning commission encouraged the council not to go forward with a three-year pilot program for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals and to maintain the current standards.
Currently, the city code defines short-term rentals as 29 days or less, allowed only in the form of bed-and-breakfast, hotels, motels and tourist homes. Under the current code, using popular online rental sites such as VRBO and Airbnb are prohibited unless the homeowner is on the premises.
The proposed changes to the code would use tax revenues, business licenses and zoning requirements to better enforce the current code.
According to the planning commission’s recommendation, the hope is that requiring business licenses on any advertisements would make the enforcement of current code easier than simple using zoning laws.
Copies of the draft resolution are available in the agenda packet at www.cityofpt.us.
________
Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
