HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-17 Public Comment - C. Searle - Short Term RentalsFrom:Caleigh Searle
To:Agenda
Subject:Short Term Rentals
Date:Monday, August 07, 2017 10:28:50 AM
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to urge you to include an exemption for renting 14 days or less per year
in any short term rental ordinance you pass for the following reasons:
2 weeks or less renters have virtually no impact on their neighborhoods and
these owners are known in their neighborhood and have a vested interest in
their upkeep and impact.
The cost of regulating "small" renters for the city would be VERY expensive
relative to the small number of actual days being rented. Regulation time and
expenses for the city would be dramatically lower and less time consuming for
staff if they focused on the much smaller number of high frequency rental units.
The city should use its tight resources efficiently and responsibly.
Exempting 14 days or less per year is consistent with federal IRS laws and
owners are incented by this tax code to stay under 14 days.
This is an EASY and FREE way to make the cost of living in Bozeman a little
more affordable, a stated goal of the city.
Sweeping these small transactions into burdensome regulation that is more
appropriate for large transactions is government overreach and excess
bureacracy, something Bozeman and Montana has always been strongly
against.
Not allowing some areas to do Type 2 rentals penalizes historic areas that
already have higher costs, such as tree fees and historic compliance rules,
driving middle class residents out, so only "rich" people can live in the walking
neighborhoods. Type 2 rentals are the most common for owner occupied homes
that just rent a short period, typically only when they are on their own vacation.
Thank you,
Caleigh Searle
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