City Subcommittee Working on Developing New Short-Term Rentals Ordinance

At their November 15, 2022 meeting, the Lake Stevens City Council opted not to take action on draft Ordinance 1139 and instead approved a motion to form a subcommittee to help develop a revised ordinance to regulate short-term rentals. The subcommittee consists of six citizens, two Planning Commission members and three City Councilmembers. The subcommittee held their first meeting on December 12 and will hold at least two more meetings in early 2023, with a draft ordinance expected by the end of February 2023. 

Opportunity for public comment will be available at a future Planning Commission and City Council public hearing, anticipated to be scheduled in March/April 2023, respectively. This page will provide a link to the public notices after a date is set.

BACKGROUND

The city adopted supplementary use regulations for tourist homes (now more commonly known as short-term rentals) in 1998 (LSMC 14.44.064). These regulations have remained unchanged even as the popularity of short-term rentals (STRs) has increased exponentially. In response, the city is currently considering a code amendment (LUA2022-0046) that would repeal and replace the code and which aims to provide set of clear and objective standards and regulations, a streamlined application process, and an appropriate balance between property rights and neighborhood concerns.  

The Planning Commission held three work sessions on the proposed code amendment before holding a public hearing and making a recommendation to City Council at their April 20, 2022 meeting, video of which is available here. The City Council considered the Planning Commission's recommendation and reviewed additional information during May 3 and June 7 work sessions, before opting to form a three-member Council subcommittee to consider additional refinements to the code language. 

The City Council held a public hearing on September 13, 2022 to consider adoption of the subcommittee's recommended code language. The Council heard a presentation from staff, took public testimony, and deliberated on the proposal (video available here) before voting to continue the public hearing to a future date to allow for an October 4 work session. Councilmembers reviewed and discussed additional information at their October 4 work session before directing staff to make several changes to the ordinance language, which is reflected in the version shown below under "Draft Regulations". 

CONTACT

For additional information on the project or process, please contact Associate Planner Jill Needham (jneedham@lakestevenswa.gov) or Community Development Director Russ Wright (rwright@lakestevenswa.gov).