By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – As one small part of the City of Port Angeles’ effort to improve the local housing crisis, the City Council wants to take a look at the possibility of regulating short term rentals as a way of improving the rental market.
To that end, the Council will hold a virtual special meeting on Tuesday, April 26 from 5:00-7:00pm. Representatives from the Madrona Law Group will have a presentation on the issues and options surrounding short term rental regulation. Because the meeting is a work session, no action will be taken and no public comment will be heard, though the public is encouraged to tune in to the webcast.
Mayor Kate Dexter says the meeting is the first step in getting the conversation going on the issue of regulation. It doesn’t mean any regulations will ultimately be enacted. Certainly, not without a robust public input process.
“What we will get from Madrona will be starting points for conversations, and everything that they will present to us will be things that would be allowed under state law. And we don’t have to choose anything that they bring to us, because sometimes it’s really helpful to have a starting point. Right? For discussion, and with the framework of recognizing that we have to balance this with property rights, which also is really important to Council.”
Last year, this same Madrona Group was hired to conduct a local survey on the issue of vacation rentals. 31% of respondents said they should be allowed without restriction, 55% said they should be allowed with certain restrictions in place, and 7% said they should not be allowed. The other 6% were neutral or unsure.
Restrictions can range from allowing them only in certain zones, limiting the number of days they can be rented, noise requirements, and even limiting out-of-town owners.
But Dexter cautions against the temptation to assume that Tuesday’s presentation is a sign that vacation rental regulation is coming.
“I think some council members definitely have opinions about what direction they would like to see us go. But as a council, we haven’t discussed it at all. And so, nothing is in the works yet. Right? It’s simply starting the discussion.”
Council Q&A and discussion will follow the presentation. Opportunities for live public comment will be available at a later date, but residents can contact City Council any time by email at council@cityofpa.us, or by written letter.
Virtual attendance options are listed on the City website, or click here.