Short Term Rentals in Rich County

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  December 7. 2016.   Ben Willoughby, County Deputy Attorney, presented an ordinance to the Commissioners concerning short-term rentals.  He noted that he had done a lot of research on short-tern rentals that are currently being used in the State of Utah.  He looked into the ordinances used by Salt Lake City, Summit County, Park City, St. George, and Garden City.  All of theses ordinances require a business license and require that the license be renewed each year.  Also, some kind of oversight to protect neighbors was included that doesn’t overly burden owners.  Ben determined this ordinance is in line with all of these others, and is about 90 percent similar to Garden City’s. 

The definition of the term short-term rental is occupancy for less than 30 days and excludes such businesses as bed and breakfasts, and any other dwellings where the owners live on the premises.

The County would be using the Planning and Zoning Committee to issue the licenses and oversee all short-term rentals.  Emphasis was placed on maximum occupancy and parking that must be off any public roadways.

Occupancy would be determined by looking at two factors—square footage of sleeping area and the parking capacity.  One parking spot needs to be created for every six people.

Great detail went into the application form that will need to be completed by the owner.  It will require plans drawn to scale, liability insurance information, sales tax collection, contact information, inspections by the building inspector and fire chief, and so forth.

A $250 application license fee for the first year and a $150 fee for the second year forward were set.  This will allow the County to break even for expenses incurred in getting the program started.

Updating or any changes in a short-term rental such as remodeling, etc. must be reported to Planning and Zoning.  Posting of rules and needed information for guests should be posted within the short-term rental unit.    Prohibited activities should also be listed. 

Fire inspections and building inspections will be done on an annual basis. Unexpected inspections can also be carried out.  Notice of any violations should be sent to the building inspector, the county sheriff, and Planning and Zoning.

Penalties and how they are carried out was included.  A first violation will incur a warning.  A second violation will incur a $300 fine.  After the second violation, the fine will be increased to $500.  The fines will be paid to the County Clerk.  No licenses will be renewed if there are serious problems that arise. 

There will have to be some kind of increase in sanitation/garbage collection.  Currently, wherever there is a short-term rental, there is a tremendous increase in the amount of garbage that needs to be hauled away.

The Commissioners made a few suggestions to the ordinance and passed it with the corrections made.  A public hearing will be held concerning this issue at the first Commissioners’ meeting in February.