While Putnam County’s new short-term rental (STR) ordinance has its complications and compromises, a closer look at data and details may make it seem a lot more family-friendly than some earlier criticisms suggested.
One key element came in what was not changed Sept. 1 in the passage of the new STR ordinance. That element deals with the maximum capacity to be allowed in non-grandfathered short-term rentals.
Over several work sessions, former commissioner Alan Foster had argued that limiting capacity – larger groups of people – was the key to controlling abuses, and he pushed for a limit of 12 occupants. Others, including Commission Chairman Bill Sharp, suggested a limit of 16 persons was more reasonable, to allow for family gatherings or dinners. The final, approved version set the limit at 12.
Does the 12 occupants figure apply just to those sleeping in the STR? No, according to Commission Clerk Lynn Butterworth, who administers the STR application process. “All night and all day,” she stated.
Computing the allowed capacity comes in the last stage of the application process and is done after the fire marshal’s inspection. The structure must be furnished at the time of the inspection.
The formula for setting its capacity is two times the number of bedrooms, plus two. All bedrooms must have an entrance and an exit (door and a window), so no conversions of pantries, storage rooms, or furnace rooms outfitted with cots or sleeping bags are acceptable. No campers or accessory buildings will be allowed, either.
A second major element in the ordinance comes in the creation of a cap on the total number of STRs permitted in Putnam County. Foster won the idea of a cap but lost on the idea of reducing the cap to 300 every time an STR property was sold.
His basic premise was to lower the number of STRs and possibly even eliminate them altogether over time. Foster’s resignation came after the other commissioners raised such a cap to 400 without including him in the discussions.
The final passage of the ordinance included an amendment that reduced the cap from 400 to 350 total licenses. After the cap of 350 is reached, new applicants will be placed on a waitlist until a licensed STR property is sold or otherwise loses its license.
Another part of the cap links the license to both the owner and the property. If the property is sold, the license does not go with it. Likewise, the owner cannot switch the license to a different owner or property, Butterworth explained.
A third major element in the ordinance focused on specified and beefed-up enforcement procedures.
Most of these came from Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and the commissioners included virtually every suggestion he made. Sills stressed the point that his office is charged with enforcing state laws but said he will voluntarily help the county enforce its STR ordinance.
One outgrowth of this position probably will result in the county hiring a couple of code enforcement officers, who will be able to write up code violations but not make arrests.
However, it is not hard to imagine them carrying cell phones with 911 on speed dial should they encounter an uncooperative STR owner, renter, or out-of-control crowd.