Bayfield Planning Commissioners are considering changes to the town land use code to cover vacation rentals.
At their March 8 meeting, Town Manager Chris La May noted the community assessment done in March 2015 by Downtown Colorado Inc. DCI noted the lack of lodging in town and recommended short-term rentals as an option.
"About that time, we had an applicant and had challenges processing it because of the building and fire codes," La May said. "We started work on regs that are appropriate. ... We would allow (vacation rentals) in all residential or mixed-use districts" with initial approval as a use by review from the planning commission and annual administrative renewals.
La May said short-term vacation rentals can be an entire house or room(s) in a single family home rented out for periods of less than 30 days. They differ from other lodging such as bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, condos and time shares "in that they generally consist of renting out a residential dwelling in a residential neighborhood and normally do not have any type of management presence on-site during the rental period."
Because the one application was to use part of a house for vacation rentals, the draft regulations include that option, he said.
The total number of vacation units would be capped at 3 percent of town water service accounts. As of January, that was 1,035 water accounts, or 31 vacation units. Vacation rentals will not be allowed in residential units that are deed restricted for affordable housing or other residential uses.
Parking issues are dealt with by limiting the number of occupants - 10 occupants in a four bedroom house, eight occupants in a three bedroom house. "The concern with (requiring) additional parking spaces is the potential to negatively impact the single family character of the property and/or neighborhood," La May said in his staff report. In his January staff report to planning commissioners, he added, "That said, small lot sizes in certain locations of town (downtown, or lower Dove Ranch) could be problematic. I don't know that there is any one size fits all solution."
No outdoor advertising signs will be allowed. The home owner doesn't have to live in the county, but if he or she doesn't, there must be an owner's representative living in the county.
A one or two-family residential unit will have to comply with the international residential code. A commercial building must comply with the international building code. Owners of vacation rentals must have a town business license and a state sales tax license and collect lodgers tax.
In his staff report, La May said, "While vacation rentals may not be common in Bayfield, the town recognizes that the demand may increase and has great potential to fill the overnight lodging void in Bayfield. Additionally, staff is of the opinion that it is preferable to have some guidance in place before a significant number of vacation rentals are introduced."
No one commented at the public hearing on March 8. Planning commissioners voted to recommend approval of the land use regulation changes to town trustees. Trustees are scheduled to consider the regulations April 5.
