HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-17 Public Comment - M. Brown - Short Term Rentals (2)1
Clerk Temp
From:Marilee Brown <marilee2browndogs@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, June 16, 2017 1:14 PM
To:Agenda
Subject:Four simple short term rental win/win solutions.
Categories:Public Comment
To Staff, Managers, Mayor and Commissioners,
I believe that the following four suggestions could help solve any perceived problems and prevent further
problems from arising. They could easily be negotiated as a win/win by all sides of the issue.
1) Recognize that the problems and differences between Type 2 and Type 3 rentals are completely different.
a) Owner occupied rentals (Type 1 and 2) are similar in that the owners must return to their neighborhood
after brief times away. They care about their neighbors and how their home with their belongings is
treated. And they only have one home being used in this manner. Statistically, the majority of this type
of rentals are for only two weeks per year. Most of the advertising platforms require a responsible
contact living nearby. And most responsible home owners notify immediate neighbors of their intent to
be away for any reason.
b) Type 3 rentals are full time and the owner may care less about the neighborhood, other than trying to
please their guests who usually want quiet and well tended homes and neighborhoods. Although a
residential leasing, they are more commercial in nature.
2) Allow all owner occupied short term rentals (Type 1 and 2) in all zones. This will make sure that everyone
that lives in a home of any type does not have income reduced, their realty value is not increased or decreased
compared to other neighborhoods, and their homes are more affordable and well maintained.
3) Cap Type 3 short term rentals to reflect the previous CUP’s and zone requirements with reviews for
additional CUP’s initially and periodically. After further review, this may be needed in other zones. This
would prevent claims of income loss or property devaluation (by both sides of the issue).
4) Remove the requirement for publicizing the private contact information (even for short periods) to comply
with the “purpose" of the Home-Based Business. License information can be checked on by City Staff as
needed. This would protect tourists and residents from criminal activity or labeling owners as possibly being
different and bad for the neighborhood. This would be more in accordance with the Bozeman Muni-code stated
purpose of a Home-based business license (although the use of a residence for temporary residential purposes
might not even be considered an accessory use) which states:
Sec. 38.22.110. - Home-based businesses.
A. Generally. A home-based business is a use that is considered accessory to a dwelling unit.
B. Home-based business as accessory use.
1. The use shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes and shall not change the
character of the dwelling or adversely affect the uses permitted in the residential district of which it is a part. The home-based
business may not be conducted in an accessory structure, and shall comply with the standards of subsection C of this section.
2
2. Purpose. It is in the intent of this section to eliminate as accessory home-based businesses for all uses except those that
conform to the standards set forth in this section. In general, an accessory home-based business is a use so located and
conducted that the average neighbor, under normal circumstances, would not be aware of its existence with the exception of
permitted signage as allowed by article 28 of this chapter. The standards for home-based businesses included in this section are
intended to ensure compatibility with other permitted uses and with the residential character of the neighborhood. A clearly
accessory or incidental status in relation to the residential use of the main building is the criteria for determining whether a
proposed accessory use qualifies as an of-right home-based business.
Thank you for your consideration, please feel free to call me to discuss the matter further,
Marilee Brown
406-579-5447