Short-term Rentals

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The City of Lafayette’s zoning regulations prohibits short-term rentals, though dozens operate throughout the City today. We are embarking on a public process to determine the conditions under which short-term rentals should be allowed in Lafayette.

Why is the City considering regulations for short-term rentals?

  • Short-term rentals are prohibited in the City’s zoning regulations, though there are over 100 rentals currently operating.
  • The City periodically receives complaints from neighbors near short-term rentals about parking, noise, and maintenance of the rentals, and from current rental operators and potential investors about the current prohibition.
  • Locations of short-term rentals are constantly changing and maintaining up-to-date information on this activity remains a challenge.
  • City sales tax and City lodging tax are not being remitted by short-term rentals in some cases.

What questions will this project answer?

  • Regulations: What rules are needed to ensure that short-term rentals don’t negatively impact Lafayette’s housing affordability and minimize impacts on surrounding residential properties?
  • Licenses and Taxes: How do we ensure that all rentals are permitted and paying taxes?
  • Administration and Enforcement: What systems are needed to implement the new rules?

How can I get involved?

Take a moment to read through the project briefing book in the document right to the right. Short on time? Just focus on sections No. 3 Housing Impacts and No. 4 Neighborhood Impacts.

Share your thoughts online

  • Please take 10 minutes to complete the Questionnaire below (closes June 24)
  • Share your thoughts and comments in the Discussion Tab below. Please note that your comments will be visible on the page for others to see.
  • Email City staff directly (see contact information on the right)

Visit with City staff

Book an individual or group meeting with City staff by selecting a date and time through our online scheduler.

The City of Lafayette’s zoning regulations prohibits short-term rentals, though dozens operate throughout the City today. We are embarking on a public process to determine the conditions under which short-term rentals should be allowed in Lafayette.

Why is the City considering regulations for short-term rentals?

  • Short-term rentals are prohibited in the City’s zoning regulations, though there are over 100 rentals currently operating.
  • The City periodically receives complaints from neighbors near short-term rentals about parking, noise, and maintenance of the rentals, and from current rental operators and potential investors about the current prohibition.
  • Locations of short-term rentals are constantly changing and maintaining up-to-date information on this activity remains a challenge.
  • City sales tax and City lodging tax are not being remitted by short-term rentals in some cases.

What questions will this project answer?

  • Regulations: What rules are needed to ensure that short-term rentals don’t negatively impact Lafayette’s housing affordability and minimize impacts on surrounding residential properties?
  • Licenses and Taxes: How do we ensure that all rentals are permitted and paying taxes?
  • Administration and Enforcement: What systems are needed to implement the new rules?

How can I get involved?

Take a moment to read through the project briefing book in the document right to the right. Short on time? Just focus on sections No. 3 Housing Impacts and No. 4 Neighborhood Impacts.

Share your thoughts online

  • Please take 10 minutes to complete the Questionnaire below (closes June 24)
  • Share your thoughts and comments in the Discussion Tab below. Please note that your comments will be visible on the page for others to see.
  • Email City staff directly (see contact information on the right)

Visit with City staff

Book an individual or group meeting with City staff by selecting a date and time through our online scheduler.

  • Short-term Rental Questionnaire

    The City of Lafayette is considering ways to regulate and license short-term rentals. Short-term rentals involve the rental of a home, typically through one of several online hosting platforms (e.g., VRBO, Airbnb), for less than 30 days. By contrast, long-term rentals involve longer stays and usually serve as the renters’ primary residence. The City’s zoning regulations do not allow short-term rentals, though dozens operate in the city today. 

    Short-term rentals can impact communities in both positive and negative ways. These rentals provide a different (and often preferable) lodging option over traditional hotels, bringing both local spending into the community and extra income for residents that otherwise would struggle to afford a home in Lafayette. 

    Short-term rentals may also impact the local housing market by converting long-term rentals or owner-occupied housing into short-term rentals. If left unchecked, these rentals may also bring impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods in the form of noise, traffic, and an overall change in the residential character.

    This questionnaire presents numerous strategies for regulating short-term rentals, focusing on impacts to the local housing supply and residential neighborhoods. 

    The questionnaire will close on Friday, June 24.

    Complete Form
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Page last updated: 19 Jun 2022, 01:21 PM