Back

BOCC to pass short-term rental code updates on Feb. 11

The Board of County Commissioners is expected to pass a resolution on Feb. 11, making updates to the nearly 4-year-old short-term rental code.

The draft resolution and the proposed code updates are available online. They will be discussed during Community Development’s time at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Last month, commissioners deliberated on the proposed updates, reviewing public comments and the Planning Commission’s recommendations. At a board meeting, commissioners discussed each of the 32 proposed updates, making individual motions on each proposed update.

The updates come after a year-long process that included public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. Many updates to the code clarify or update language. Other more notable updates include:

Occupancy for children: After asking the Planning Commission to consider whether children 24 months and younger should be included in occupancy counts, commissioners decided by a 2-1 vote to leave the language unchanged in the code. This means children will be counted in occupancy rates, regardless of their age.

Fire and Life Safety Inspections: After an initial inspection of new short-term rentals by the Chelan County Fire Marshal’s office, Fire and Life Safety Inspections shall be performed every other year by the office. Self-inspections, with a completed checklist provided by the Fire Marshal’s Office, for health and safety are encouraged to be completed by property owners annually.

Manson maximum share of short-term rentals: The maximum number of short-term rentals allowed in the Manson area was lowered from 9% to 6% of the housing share. This comes at the request of the Manson Community Council.

Annual renewal payments: Verbiage was removed from the code that previously gave the director of Community Development the discretion of accepting a renewal application that was handed in after the Oct. 31 annual deadline. Addition verbiage added to this renewal section of the code reads: Annual renewal applications will be considered on time if received between Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 each year. Renewal applications received between Nov. 1--Nov. 30 will be considered late and pay a late fee of twice the permit fee in addition to the renewal fee. Renewal applications received between Dec. 1--Dec. 31 will be considered very late and pay a late fee of triple the permit fee in addition to the renewal fee. The late renewals will be processed, provided the short-term rental may not continue operation past Dec. 31 until the permit application is issued.

Parking: Language in this section was cleaned up, removing verbiage about setbacks. Homes not used as short-term rentals are allowed to park in their setbacks, so short-term rentals will be able to as long as they can provide proof that they have two parking spaces outside the setback. In addition, the number of vehicles allowed at short-term rental must include any boats, trailers, campers, personal watercraft or other similar vehicles.

Signage: More detailed language was added to clarify the intent of the code. A sign must include the permit number and a phone number of a qualified person or local contact (someone who can be on-site in 60 minutes). Signs must be all-weather and permanently posted.

While the code updates did not address the maximum share of short-term rentals in Stehekin, commissioners expect to address this issue in the near future as part of an ongoing project that will create a Stehekin community plan. Community input on short-term rentals will be gathered at future meetings in Stehekin.

Last Updated: 02/04/2025 04:43 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 05
    Mar 2025
    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - March 5, 2025

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person at 400 Douglas St.
  • 01
    Mar 2025
    09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

    Monthly Drop-Off Saturday - March 1, 2025

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Drop-off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is March 1.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 21
    Feb 2025
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 21
    Feb 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 19
    Feb 2025
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office