Chapter 18.126
SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Sections:
18.126.030 General requirements.
18.126.040 Application requirements.
18.126.050 Development standards.
18.126.060 Operating without permit and nuisance complaints.
18.126.010 Purpose.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations for the operation of short-term rentals within Columbia County. It does not apply to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.
B. The provisions of this chapter are necessary to promote tourism and economic development while simultaneously preventing unreasonable burdens on services and impacts on residential neighborhoods posed by short-term rentals. Special regulation of these uses is necessary to ensure that they will be compatible with surrounding residential and agricultural uses. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.020 Definitions.
The definitions set forth in this section shall apply to short-term rental properties:
A. “Authorized agent” is a property management company or other entity or person who has been designated by the owner, in writing, to act on their behalf. The authorized agent may or may not be the designated representative for purposes of contact for complaints.
B. “Event” means wedding, bachelor or bachelorette party, concert, sponsored event, or any similar group activity.
C. “Local contact” means a person identified by the owner who is available to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to any complaint involving the short-term rental.
D. “Owner” means the person that owns and holds legal and/or equitable title to the property.
E. “Principal residence” means the residence where the owner personally resides 275 or more days each calendar year.
F. “Short-term rental” means temporary lodging for charge or fee at a dwelling for a rental period of less than one month, or less than 30 continuous days if the rental period does not begin on the first day of the month.
G. “Renter” means the individual(s) paying monies to reside at the short-term rental unit. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.030 General requirements.
No owner or property within unincorporated Columbia County may offer, operate, rent, or otherwise make available or allow any other person to make available for occupancy or use a short-term rental without an approved conditional use permit. Offer includes through any media, whether written, electronic, web-based, digital, mobile, or otherwise. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.040 Application requirements.
An application to operate a short-term rental within the unincorporated areas of Columbia County must comply with the requirements as outlined in Chapter 18.80 CCC. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.050 Development standards.
A. One designated parking space must be provided specifically for the renter and cannot be used by the authorized agent, local contact, and/or the owner during the entire length of stay by the renter.
B. Recreational vehicles and other similar vehicles, machines, or recreational devices are not permitted to be parked on site or within the public right-of-way related to short-term rentals.
C. Owner must have property insurance and liability coverage for the short-term rental.
D. If the unit is not an owner-occupied short-term rental, then a local contact must be provided who is able to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to any complaints.
E. Functioning carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors shall be kept in operating order and installed as required by the International Residential Code (IRC).
F. Functioning fire extinguisher(s) shall be installed within the short-term rental. Number and location will be determined based on the size of the structure during the application and permitting process.
G. If the short-term rental property has a pool then the pool must be fenced meeting the requirements of the IRC. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.060 Operating without permit and nuisance complaints.
A. It is unlawful to rent, offer for rent, or advertise for rent a dwelling unit located on any property within unincorporated Columbia County without first obtaining a conditional use permit. If a short-term rental is found to be renting, offering for rent, or advertising for rent without a conditional use permit, the property is subject to the provisions in CCC Title 19, Code Enforcement.
B. Nuisance complaints will be processed as follows, within any time period for the life of the conditional use permit:
1. First complaint – Citation with applicable fee.
2. Second complaint – Citation with applicable fee.
3. Third complaint – Citation with applicable fee and immediate revocation of conditional use permit by the planning director. [Ord. 2019-02.]
18.126.070 Appeal.
Decisions regarding short-term rentals may be appealed to the hearing examiner per CCC 18.05.080(K)(3), Procedures for Hearings on an Appeal from Planning Director Decision. [Ord. 2019-02.]