HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-26 Public Comment - D. Taylor - Type 2 STR Legacy - RA ZoneFrom:Dylan Taylor
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Type 2 STR Legacy - RA Zone
Date:Tuesday, April 14, 2026 12:58:38 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
PUBLIC COMMENT — BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION | April 14, 2026
Re: Legacy Status for Existing STRs in RA ZoningSubmitted by: Dylan Taylor
Address: 418 S 14th Ave, Bozeman, MTSTR Permit: STR21-00051 (active through October 26, 2026)
Date: April 14, 2026
Commissioners,
My name is Dylan Taylor, and I’m a homeowner in Bozeman. Since December 2021, I’ve
operated a permitted Type 2 short-term rental—a small two-bedroom basement unit in my
home. I’ve remained in full compliance and treated this as a modest, well-managed use of my
property.
I’m writing because recent zoning changes have created an unexpected situation for those of
us operating legally, and I’m asking for a fair, practical solution.
Why this matters to me
The income from this rental is important to our ability to afford living in Bozeman. Like many
homeowners, we carry a high mortgage in a very expensive market.
When my wife and I bought this home in 2021, the ability to operate a short-term rental in the
basement was a key factor in making the mortgage feasible. Without it, we would not have
been able to responsibly purchase the home.
Today, this STR helps us stay current on that obligation and remain in our home. This is not
about expansion or profit—it’s maintaining something we have relied on since purchase.
What changed—and how I learned about it
When the Unified Development Code took effect on February 1, 2026, my property was
placed in RA zoning, where Type 1 and Type 2 STRs are no longer allowed.
I did not learn this affected my ability to renew until April 10, when I heard from another STR
operator. I did not receive the City’s April 3 notification email that others apparently did. By
then, more than two months had passed since the change took effect.
My permit remains valid through October 26, 2026, so this issue affects renewal later this
year, not current operations.
Broader impact
This change affects many permitted operators across Bozeman—mostly homeowners relying
on STR income to offset housing costs.
There are also immediate issues: future bookings are uncertain, and some operators may have
accepted reservations or renewal actions without knowing their status had changed.
A reasonable path forward
I do not expect the City to reverse zoning or reopen RA to new STRs.
I am asking for a narrower solution: allow existing, permitted STRs in place prior to February 1,
2026 to continue renewing, provided permits remain in good standing and do not lapse.
This follows the City’s prior approach. In 2017 and 2023, existing operators were allowed to
continue under legacy or grandfathered provisions when STR rules changed.
That approach reflects a basic principle: people made long-term financial decisions based on
the rules in place at the time.
Housing considerations
My unit would not convert into long-term housing. It is not separately metered, and parts of it
are shared space within our home. We also use it at times for friends and family, along with
shared laundry access when it is not occupied.
Because of that, removing this STR does not create a new rental unit—it only removes a
source of income that helps us afford our home.
Closing
I have operated responsibly since 2021 under a valid permit and acted in good faith
throughout.
I’m asking for a solution that reflects that—allowing existing compliant operators to continue,
without expanding STR use in RA zones.
A Legacy classification for current permit holders would achieve that balance.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Dylan Taylor