Table of Contents

Short-Term Residential Rentals

The county’s zoning ordinance addresses short-term residential regulations. A 2016 ordinance defines an “accessory homestay” use (§16.6.2) and establishes it as an accessory use permitted by right in all residential districts (§5.1.4), all multiple-family residential districts (§6.1.4), and all commercial/mixed use districts (§7.1.3). The ordinance was amended in 2017 to apply to tenants as well as homeowners.

Accessory homestay uses are permitted subject to the county’s home occupation use standards (§12.9.11) and accessory homestay standards (§12.9.12). Accessory homestay standards address eligibility, maximum number of lodgers, ADUs, safety requirements, and the required annual permit.

The county adopted a new zoning code in 2013. It includes a mix of use-based and form-based zoning standards. It defines and regulates uses based on broad categories, with select specific use types, and includes use-specific standards to minimize reliance on discretionary use permits. It is richly illustrated and uses tables to organize use permissions and dimensional standards.