Chelan County Commissioners finalize short-term rental code changes

WENATCHEE – After receiving public comment and recommendations from the Planning Commission, the Board of Chelan County Commissioners (BOCC) formally adopted changes to the short-term rental (STR) code on Feb. 18.

Last year, the BOCC tasked the Planning Commission with reviewing portions of the short-term rental code, which was originally adopted in 2021. 

Of these considerations, the Planning Commission was asked to consider whether children 24 months and younger should be included in occupancy counts. STR owners were supportive of this change, which would align with the occupancy standards of booking platforms. The commissioners decided to leave the code as is, which counts children in occupancy rates, regardless of age.

Commissioners agreed to maintain the same percentages of maximum number of short-term rentals allowed in designated areas, with the Manson area lowered from nine to six percent at the request of the Manson Community Council.

Under the new updates, property owners will need an initial inspection of new short-term rentals by the Chelan County Fire Marshal’s office, rather than an applicable fire district. While  self-inspections for health and safety are encouraged annually, the updated code now requires that Fire and Life Safety Inspections are performed every other year by the office.

Parking standards were updated to require that the number of vehicles allowed at short-term rental must include any boats, trailers, campers, personal watercraft or other similar vehicles. Additionally, short-term rentals will be allowed to park in setbacks, in alignment with homes that are not short-term rentals, as long as they provide proof of two parking spaces outside of the setback.

Signage verbiage was updated to clarify the intent of the code. Signs must be all-weather, permanently posted, and include the permit number and phone number of a qualified person or local contact who can be on-site in 60 minutes.

Lastly, code surrounding annual renewal payment updated to include a schedule of renewal application acceptance and late fees. Applications are accepted between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30, applicants must pay a late fee of twice the permit fee in addition to the renewal fee, with the permit fee tripling between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media