Survey results to help inform proposed Land Use Code update

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Land Use Department is seeking input on Land Use Code regulations related to short-term rentals in unincorporated Boulder County (i.e., outside cities and towns) as part of Land Use Code update DC-19-0005. An online survey to gather public feedback is available through Nov. 22, 2019.

The Land Use Code defines a “short-term dwelling rental” as a dwelling that is rented in durations of less than 30 days at a time. These properties, often rented through Airbnb and VRBO, include dwellings rented out by individual owners or on behalf of an owner by a property management group.

Please share your thoughts about short-term rentals in the unincorporated county and how they should be regulated by taking the online survey. The informational survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Land Use staff will use survey results to inform the Land Use Code update before proposing draft regulations to Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BoulderCountySTR

Background

On July 2, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to pursue text amendments to Article 4-507 of the Boulder County Land Use Code related to two Lodging Uses: Short-term Dwelling Rentals, and Bed and Breakfast. The existing use provisions for Short-term Dwelling Rentals (STRs) were created in 2008.

The use provisions need an update considering current development, housing availability, and economic conditions in the county. Best planning and land use regulation practices regarding STRs have evolved significantly since the existing use provisions were put in place.

In addition, staff has heard input from county residents that the existing regulations do not adequately address the impacts of STRs. Staff intends to explore updating use provisions related to owner-occupancy, business registration, neighborhood compatibility, rental frequency, and preventative safety. Staff also intends to update the definition and provisions for the Bed and Breakfast use and clarify the distinction between the Short-term Dwelling Rentals and Bed and Breakfast uses.

For more information, please contact Christy Wiseman at cwiseman@bouldercounty.org or 720-564-2623